Chapter 217: The Watcher

Clayton awoke to the feel of gentle fingers caressing his cheek and stroking his beard, a comforting sensation that drew a small smile to his lips before he opened his heavy eyes. "Hey," he rasped, his voice still thick with the remnants of sleep. "Hey," she replied, her voice crystal clear in the quiet of the morning. As Clayton blinked away the sleep, the morning light streaming through a crack in the curtains gently illuminated the room. He looked at Camden, noticing the dark circles under her eyes, evidence of a sleepless night. "You didn't sleep?" he asked, concern weaving through his tone as he tenderly cupped her cheek, gently running his thumb over her soft skin. "Not much," she downplayed it, her voice carrying a hint of forced cheerfulness. In truth, she hadn't slept at all. Not since he had woken up from his bad dream. She had spent the night awake, haunted by worries and what-ifs. "Shit, Cam. We've got such a big day ahead of us. You should have rested," he chided her gentl