Another shallow breath escaped her lips, followed by a faint tremor that rippled through her body despite the intense fever consuming her.
Every passing second seemed to raise her temperature even further, and though countless battles had taught him how to remain composed under the greatest pressure, he found himself watching her more intently than he had ever watched an enemy across a battlefield.
His thumb moved lightly across her flushed cheek as he lowered his forehead until it rested gently against hers.
"Stay with me..."
The whisper was almost lost within the silence of the room.
For the first time in longer than he could remember, the Royal Alpha felt fear settle quietly into his heart.
"Dakota..."
He called her name again, then once more, his voice growing softer with each attempt, hoping for the slightest response.
Nothing.
She remained unconscious in his arms, her breathing still uneven as the unnatural heat continued to radiate from her body.
