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Smiling, she refused to allow herself to think about her problems or the future, choosing instead to revel in this moment, in the pleasant way her body ached yet her inner turmoil felt calm and at peace. Her thoughts brought too much pain, and she wanted to allow herself to bask in her happiness, however temporary.

Her phone buzzed, the insistent sound reminding her she’d left the ringer on vibrate like she always did when she went to bed. “Who could that be?” she asked, loathe to leave his arms.

“It’s three in the morning,” Alaric commented. “Only bad news comes at this hour of the night. You’d better answer it.”

Though she’d much rather just let the call go to voicemail, she reluctantly pushed up from the bed and crossed to the dresser. Alaric's room somehow felt cozier and more welcoming. Of course, a lot of that probably had to do with the fact that he occupied it.

When she snatched up her phone, the Unknown Caller on the display made her groan. “If this is a wrong number…” she mu