As Alex walked into his hotel suite.
The room, elegant as ever, remained dimly lit by ambient wall lights designed to mimic dawnlight, casting soft amber hues over polished floors and marble accents.
Nyxara lay sprawled across the wide bed, her sleek white and black-striped fur blending lazily with the luxurious ivory sheets. Her eyes were closed, ears twitching faintly with every sound he made as he stepped inside. But Alex knew better—she wasn't asleep.
As if on cue, her golden eyes opened slowly, glinting like molten gold in the filtered light. She turned her head slightly, watching him with a relaxed but attentive gaze.
"How was your jog?" she asked, voice low and drowsy, but laced with genuine curiosity.
Alex didn't respond immediately. Instead, he reached up, tugging the hem of his dark, sweat-dampened top over his head and letting it fall to the side in one fluid motion.
