Selene''s presence helped me sleep like the dead. Waking in the morning in a room outside of the hospital is nicer than I want to admit to Clayton, after trying to refuse this apartment.

    Stretching languidly, I take a moment to bask in the luxury of the king-sized bed, reveling in the silky sheets caressing my skin. A contented sigh escapes my lips as I roll onto my side, only to find myself face-to-face with Selene''s piercing blue gaze.

    "Morning," I murmur, reaching out to scratch behind her ears.

    Morning, pup. Her tail thumps against the mattress in greeting. Sleep well?

    "Like a rock." I glance around the lavish bedroom, my eyes lingering on the plush armchairs positioned near the floor-to-ceiling windows. "It''s going to take some getting used to, living in a place like this."

    You deserve nice things, Ava. Selene nuzzles my hand. Although, I must admit, I miss the simplicity of your old apartment.

    Is it possible to feel nostalgia after only a week away? Because I do.

    "Me too. We won''t be able to go back for a little while, right?"

    Selene''s ears flatten against her head. Not until the alpha sends you home.

    Pushing aside the melancholy, I swing my legs over the edge of the bed and stretch again, relishing the freedom of movement. No sore back or hips, and no tense neck after sleeping on near-flat pillows. "So, what''s on the agenda for today?"

    Selene hops off the bed and trots toward the door. Well, you don''t have a job to go to anymore, so I suppose you could be a couch potato for once.

    I can''t help but laugh at the mental image. "A couch potato? Really?"

    Why not? She glances back at me with a wolfish grin. There''s a new shifter romance show that just started. We could binge-watch it together.

    Raising an eyebrow, I follow her out of the bedroom and into the spacious living area. "A shifter romance show? Somehow, I doubt it''ll be an accurate representation of our lives."

    Selene hops onto the plush sofa, making herself comfortable. You''d be surprised. From what I''ve heard, it''s quite steamy.

    Heat rises to my cheeks at her suggestive tone. "Steamy, huh? I''m not sure I want to watch something like that with you."

    Selene''s tail thumps against the cushion, almost as if she''s agreeing with my explanation. Ivy, however, doesn''t seem entirely convinced.

    "A stray, huh?" Her lips purse as she studies Selene, who simply stares back at her, unfazed. "Well, I suppose that explains her lack of manners."

    Before I can respond, Selene lets out a low growl, her hackles rising. Ivy''s eyes widen, and I quickly step between them, shooting a warning glance at my canine companion.

    "Selene, enough." I turn to Ivy, offering her an apologetic smile. "I''m sorry about that. She can be a bit protective sometimes."

    Ivy regards me for a moment, her expression unreadable. Finally, she shakes her head and waves a dismissive hand. "No matter. I didn''t come here to discuss your pet."

    "Then why are you here?" I ask, unable to hide my curiosity.

    Ivy''s gaze meets mine, and I''m struck by the intensity in her eyes. "I wanted to see for myself how you''re settling in."

    I blink, taken aback by her words. "Oh, um... well, it''s certainly a nice place. A bit too extravagant for my tastes, but I appreciate the gesture."

    "My brother has a tendency to go overboard," Ivy says with one of her too-warm smiles. "But he means well. He wants to ensure you''re comfortable and well-cared for."

    There''s something in her tone that sets me on edge, but I can''t make it out. Selene''s growl echoes in my mind.

    "Well, you can tell your brother that I''m doing just fine," I say, trying to keep my voice light. "I don''t need anything extravagant. Just a safe place to stay for the time being."

    Ivy regards me for a long moment, her gaze sharp and assessing. Finally, she nods, seeming satisfied with whatever she''s gleaned from our interaction.

    "I''ll be sure to pass that along," she says, turning to leave. "Enjoy your stay, Ava. And do try to keep that mutt of yours under control."

    With those parting words, she''s gone, leaving me standing in the middle of the living room, wondering why she''d even come by in the first place.

    Mutt? I''m papered!

    Selene''s ears twitch in irritation, her tail thumping hard against the sofa. Ah, I missed the intro because of that witch!

    When someone knocks on the door again, I assume it''s Ivy, but Clayton''s the one at the door this time.