Chapter 46

Alyssa

I'm half-asleep, my head resting on Niko's chest, as the end credits of The Lion King roll. We've been watching our way though Disney movies, and surprisingly, Niko doesn't complain. His hand strokes my hair, sweet and tender, just like the entire evening has been. When Mufasa died, I bawled, and Niko didn't say a word—he just wiped my tears and held me closer. The intimacy between us threatens to unravel me in ways I didn't think it could.

I know better than to let myself fall like this, but I can't seem to fucking help it. How am I going to be okay when I'm eventually forced to leave them?

The door clicks open, and I sit up. King steps in, his presence instantly filling the room. But Niko doesn't move, instead, he traces lazy circles on my back. I guess he has no reason to be afraid of King's wrath—he did say tell him to comfort me before he left.

"You're back early," Niko murmurs, his his chest rumbling beneath my hands. "That good news?"

King crosses to the