Chapter Seventy-Four: I Can't Be In Bed All Day

Kiara's POV: Underneath the well-illuminated chandelier, I sat quietly ensconced between Riley and Cathy on the lavish comforter that adorned my bed. The heady mix of antiseptic and the fresh scent of blooming roses from the nearby vase permeated the room, each a sharp contrast to the other – one a grim reminder of my recent brush with danger, the other a testament to the love and concern that surrounded me. My heart pounded a syncopated rhythm, the echo of my mates' overbearing insistence on rest still resounding in my mind. Their concern was as real and solid as the room around me, their voices a constant melody in my mind. And yet, it felt smothering, suffocating, their protective instincts tightening around me like a well-meaning yet unwanted cocoon. Running my fingers through my tangled locks, I shifted my gaze to the ornate mirror, catching sight of my reflection. The girl looking back at me bore a haunted look, her skin paler than ever, her eyes holding a touch of fatigue. But b