Chapter 41

Waking up more refreshed and happier than I could ever remember, I rolled over on the flimsy mattress, the sound of its rusted springs reminding me I was still in my basement room. Alone. But not as cold anymore, as I had slept in Xavier's long-sleeved shirt that he had lent me the day before.

Groggy from the deep, blissful sleep I had for once, I turned onto my back and sighed contentedly at the ceiling. With my eyes closed, I hugged myself, unable to contain the huge smile stretching across my face from the pleasant afterglow of dreaming about Xavier again.

In the back of my mind, I was grateful that it hadn't been another dream about Andrew. Although that particular dream had left a bitter taste in my mouth that was hard to shake. As if Andrew wasn't repulsive enough, that dream had amplified my aversion to him. Not to mention, it had brought a sense of doom because Andrew had become my mate—a fate I couldn't escape.

But this morning's mood had me shaking that