Page 120 of Bleed

Despite everything, a laugh escapes me. It hurts my throat, but I can’t stop the smile pulling at my lips. “That’s my girl.”

Her fleeting amusement disappears, her expression turning deadly serious again. “I meant it.”

My smile softens. “I know you did.” I reach for her hand, giving it a little squeeze. “And I love you for it.”

She smiles back at me, squeezing my fingers in return, just as something lands softly on the foot of the bed. I glance down to find a familiar black cat prowling across the comforter, tail held high.

“Oz!” I greet, reaching for him.

He answers with a little chirp as he makes his way toward me, stepping delicately over my legs. I offer him my hand as he climbs closer, and Ozzy immediately shoves his head beneath my palm, rubbing insistently against my fingers.

“He’s barely left your side,” Taylor says quietly, her expression turning tender as she watches her cat love up on me.

A soft laugh escapes me as I scratch behind his ears. “Shit, it must’ve been serious if the prince of darkness was worried.”

Ozzy circles twice before settling against my hip, his warm little body pressed into mine.

“Aww.” I stroke a hand down his back. “Such a sweet boy.”

Taylor clears her throat pointedly, and I look up.

“For the record, I haven’t left your side either.”

The corner of my mouth curls in a smirk. “Do you want head scratches, too?”

She swats me with the back of a hand, and I flinch, pain radiating through muscles that apparently have no interest in being touched right now.

Taylor immediately recoils, looking horrified. “Shit, I’m so sorry!”

“You’re fine,” I laugh, fighting a wince as I wave her off before readjusting my position against the pillows. Keeping my eyes open is suddenly becoming difficult– the adrenaline from waking up is already fading, leaving exhaustion in its wake.

Of course, Taylor notices. “You should sleep,” she murmurs.

I roll my eyes. “I’ve been sleeping for a day and a half.”

“And apparently you need more.” She stands and leans over me, carefully fluffing the pillow behind my head and helping me settle back against it.

“I feel like that’s medically impossible,” I grumble, then promptly ruin my argument with a yawn.

Taylor gives me a pointed look.

“Fine,” I huff.

Her expression softens as she reaches down and pulls the blanket higher over me. “We’ll figure everything out when you wake up,” she says.

I nod, letting my eyes fall closed.

Everything.

The bond. The bite. Elliott.

My chest aches at the thought of him. As if she can somehow sense it, Taylor’s fingers curl around mine.

“I’m right here,” she murmurs, her thumb stroking the back of my palm. “I’m not going anywhere.”

I squeeze weakly in response.

Ozzy’s purr vibrates warmly against my side, Taylor’s hand anchoring mine as exhaustion pulls me back under.