#19

Eve's POV:

When I woke up, my whole body ached, my head throbbed, and I felt nauseous. The pungent smell of wolfbane still lingered in the air. I cautiously opened my eyes, and to my relief, I saw Ryan sitting next to my bed, watching over me.

The moment he noticed I was awake, he jumped up and hovered anxiously over me. "How are you feeling, love? Are you okay? Do you need anything?" he asked frantically.

I mustered a weak smile, despite the pain. "You'll have to choose a question, Ryan," I replied, trying to lighten the mood.

He sighed in relief at my attempt at humor. "I was going to have a heart attack," he admitted, settling back down by the bed. "The moment I knew..."

Curious, I asked, "How did you know what was going on?"

"I sensed something was wrong, and I followed my instincts. I'm glad I did," he said, concern evident in his eyes as he helped me sit up on the bed.

His touch was gentle, and I felt comforted by his presence. However, I pulled away, trying to keep my emotions