Serena stirred, eyes still closed.
For a second, she forgot about the nightmare of yesterday.
Then it all crashed back.
Her messing up protocols. Misstepping on her very first day in the Draken Forces. Her accidental screams that bled into a shared mindlink. Before that, the most embarrassing situation where she was crying in the forest. Viremont's comment on her scent. And Dexmon, breaking her heart and humiliating her.
It wasn't like her to ruminate over things she had no control over. But this time, it was all too much.
Her thoughts spiraled before she could catch them. Anxiety bubbled in her chest. She hadn't even fully processed the fact that someone was holding her and her back was against a chest.
Arms tightened around her. She then noticed the sensation of his skin pressed on hers. Sparks danced everywhere. A heart thudded behind her.
But the scent wasn't Dexmon's. It belonged to Finnick Shadowclaw.
Her eyes fluttered open and she blinked, head throbbing.
