Alina's POV
My eyelids felt heavy as I blinked against the morning light. Automatically, my hand swept across the mattress, searching for the familiar warmth of Lucian's body.
Nothing. Only cold, empty sheets.
A sudden knot formed in my stomach, pulling me out of bed. "Lucian?" I called out, my voice sounding thin in the quiet room. I waited, straining my ears for the sound of running water or a drawer opening in the bathroom. Silence.
Padding over to the bathroom door, I pushed it open. Empty. A cold prickle of unease crawled up my spine. I threw on my robe, tying the sash with trembling fingers, and hurried down the hallway toward the nursery. I cracked the door open; seeing Leo sound asleep brought a brief, fleeting smile to my face, but the dread in my chest wouldn't shift.
"Where would he have gone?" I whispered .
