"I am here. No, you are not dreaming." Phoenix hugged the sound of his voice as it reached her ears and closed her eyes.
Phoenix smiled as she leaned against the sensation of his palm on her face. She continued to feel as though Alaric was only a hallucination and she was dreaming until she heard him speak.
"What have you done to yourself, Phoenix? Is this how you will lead your pack?" Alaric asked.
With a gradual openness, Phoenix's teary eyes met his. You left me," she uttered, and the next moment, Alaric pulled her into his arms.
"I am sorry for being selfish and believing that my disappearance will spare you from the misfortune that came along with this bond." Alaric's words stilled Phoenix for a moment before she pushed herself away from his embrace.
"What do you mean?" Her brow furrowed as she fixed a hard stare on him.
