Grant doesn't waste any time reading my mind. He kisses me with more ferocity this time, making sure his tongue lingers in my mouth. I hold on to his bottom lip, only letting go when I feel like I may hurt him.
“Now I believe you missed me,” he teases, making me chuckle. “I like that sound. I've been waiting to hear you laugh.”
“You're literally the only reason behind it.” This time, I hold Grant like he's going to escape me. The serenity of my room isn't one I want to leave behind anytime soon.
Grant's eyes turn to mine. The sincerity and softness in them make me melt into a puddle. “I love you,” he says. It's almost like a promise.
“I love you,” I reply without hesitation. There are many things that I haven't been sure of in my life, but this decision is one I know I want with my whole heart.
“I've been waiting for you to wake up so I could say that.”
“I can't believe you wanted to say it in the middle of a fight.”
“Of course,” Grant says. “I truly didn't know if we were going to make it out, and I didn't want us to die without telling you how I feel.”
I begin to feel bad again as the situation I put us in sinks in. Grant notices this change in mood and kisses the top of my head before renewing our embrace.
“We're here and we're together. Let's focus on that.”
I could get used to this.
There's a soft knock on the door. I hold onto Grant a little longer as he tries to get up and head to the door. Eventually, I let go of him and Grant walks to the door and opens it slightly.
I can't see who he's talking to from here, but it sounds like Graham. I'm a little shocked that he's still here after being told that I've been out for five days. I guess everyone is sort of hanging around the alpha for now.
The conversation is low, but I make out something about food and my stomach grumbles in response.
Grant laughs from his spot at the door before Graham walks away. My mate comes back to the bed and joins me once again. Having himso close almost makes me not want to go anywhere, but the thought of food is already sticking in my head.
“You sound hungry,” Grant teases.
“Can you blame me?” I ask. “I feel like I haven't eaten in days, which is true.”
“I know, love. I've told my people to create something cozy for us while food is being prepared. Come, it'll be nice for blood to properly move around your body.”
He offers a hand to me, and I slowly take it, sitting up and rising to my feet. It instantly feels like I'm on pins and needles. Each step hurts so much that I almost throw myself back onto the bed. Still, I keep going.
My entire body aches, which I didn't feel much of when Grant was holding me. My mate had been enough to distract me from my weakness, but now I'm starting to feel it. He keeps supporting me as we walk with his hand on my waist.
We walk out of the bedroom and move to the stairs. Grant offers to carry me down, which I happily accept because I'm not about to miss an opportunity to be in his arms. I hold onto him for dear life as he travels down, taking the steps one at a time.
Eventually, we reach the first floor, and I expect to see a bunch of people moving around, but it's completely quiet. I'm happy for the lack of noise, but I'm also confused.
“Where is everybody?”
“They're in their rooms,” he says. “Don't worry, you'll see them soon.”
“It's so cold today,” I mutter.
“Good thing we're about to do something to heat you up next.”
“What?”
Grant takes me to the living room, which isn't a place I spend a lot of time in. In fact, I've probably only stepped into the living room once since I arrived in this house.
All the places of interest for me are enough to keep me occupied. Besides, the house has never been full enough for me to go to the living room to look for people.
I take in the cozy view, instantly spotting the crackling fire that's growing in the corner of the room. A large collection of blankets and pillows is on the floor near the fire, almost a mountain.
