Mallory:
I stumbled into the warm light of our hotel room. I was exhausted but still shaken from the day's events. Gavin's near-fatal fall had cast a long shadow over all of us, and my heart was still pounding with the memory of his wounds.
I turned slowly to face Jasper who just locked the door. The two of us just stood there, staring at each other in a heavy silence.
Before either of us could say a word, he stepped forward and closed the distance. His arms wrapped around me in a fierce, immediate hug - tighter and more protective than any embrace we had ever shared. It was as if he had spent all day fearing he might return too late.
"I'm here," he breathed into my hair. "You are safe."
My lips trembled as I swallowed back tears. Slowly, I relaxed against him, letting the steady beat of his heart anchor my own.
When he finally drew back, we were mere inches apart. His eyes were lined with exhaustion and something like awe as he searched my face.
