Chapter 71

With a gentle thud, we laid Sergio on the bed, a space where both he and I were going to lay as mates. Kate, understanding the gravity of the moment, left me to tend to Sergio's care as she exited the room. The door closed behind her, enveloping us in a cocoon of privacy.

Alone with Sergio, I couldn't ignore the subtle vulnerability that lingered in the room. The hushed whispers of the clandestine world seemed to retreat, leaving behind an intimate space charged with unspoken emotions. My fingers traced the contours of Sergio's face, a tender gesture that transcended the chaos we often found ourselves entangled in.

Curling up beside him, I nestled into the crook of his arm. The warmth of his body offered solace, and I rested my head on his muscular chest, the rhythmic beat of his heart a reassuring lullaby.

As time passed in the silence, Sergio's temperature seemed to spike unexpectedly. His body, once cooled by Sarah's healing touch, now radiated an unsettling heat. Concern crept into