Elias's Pov

Ronan didn’t leave the room immediately. Even after he told me to rest, he stood near the door for a long moment, listening.

Checking. Making sure Hale didn’t linger in the hallway.

I stayed on the bed, knees drawn slightly together, trying to keep my breathing steady. My heartbeat was still too fast.

Ronan finally stepped away from the door and came toward me.

“You should lie down,” he said softly.

“I don’t feel sleepy.”

“It is not about sleep,” Ronan ...