Chapter 196

Rion's POV

The soft dawn light filters through the curtains, casting a warm glow over the room. Jaselyn is nestled against me, her breathing slow and even. I’m drifting in that comfortable space between sleep and wakefulness when a harsh, persistent knocking shatters the peace. I groan, blinking away the remnants of sleep.

“Who the hell is knocking at this hour?” I mutter, reluctantly slipping out of bed. Jaselyn stirs, but she’s too sore from last night to get up.

“I’ll get it,” I say, pulling on my pants but not bothering with a shirt. Whoever has the nerve to disturb us so early is about to get a piece of my mind.

I yank the door open, ready to unleash my frustration, but the sight before me stops me cold. Larose is standing there, tears streaming down her face, her eyes red and puffy. She looks utterly devastated.

“Larose? What’s wrong?” I ask, my voice softening immediately. She tries