My eyes sting as I raise my head to look up at Ryker. “I-I get to say goodbye,” I gasp through the pain. “I do it on my terms, and I’ll come with you and do whatever you want.”
His eyebrow curls. “Anything I want, huh?”
I fear what it means, but at least I’ll know Evan is okay. To explain to him what’s going on, rather than leaving without saying a word, and fearing for his mental stability.
“You have my word. But Evan stays out of it, and you won’t hurt him again.”
Ryker rolls his tongue over his bottom set of teeth. “If you even think about trying to run, or outsmart me, I’ll make you do far worse to him than I made you do now,” he says with a deep growl. “I’ll make you carve him open. I’ll make him watch, and he’ll scream in pain. The last person he will see is you as you take his life.”
I can’t fucking breathe at the possibilities that are running through my head.
“I’ll find you, and I’ll make you both pay.”
My breathing comes out ragged as my body starts to vibrate. “We won’t run. Just let me say goodbye.”
Ryker studies me before taking a step backwards. “You have twenty-four hours, and then I’m coming back. I’ll know if you’re planning something, so don’t fucking try it.”
Even if I was, I wouldn’t chance Evan’s life over this. I’ll survive at my father's hands, but I don’t think he will.
He leaves abruptly, and my attention turns back to Evan in my arms as I cradle his face.
“Evan, open your eyes,” I rasp desperately. “Please. Look at me.”
A strangled groan falls from the back of his throat. More tears pour from my eyes.
“Baby, please,” I choke. “Just stay with me.”
I don’t remember the last time I cried this hard, but the tears don’t stop.
Soon, I’m being surrounded by my pack members who are finally returning from our earlier attack.
My face presses into Evan’s throat, and I kiss along the bruising that starts to show on his skin. “I’m sorry,” I whisper. “I’m so fucking sorry.”
I listen to his faint breathing as my pack doctors rush towards us.
“Oh, Goddess,” I hear from behind me.
Evan doesn’t open his eyes; he lies in my arms, lifeless.
52
EVAN
When I crack my eyes open from the deepest slumber I’ve ever experienced, I soon come to realise I wasn’t sleeping. I was practically in a coma. Every inch of my body feels like it’s been stuck back together with glue.
I’m brittle, frail, broken.
A choked sound falls from my lips as I stare at the wires hanging from my body and connected to the machine beeping beside me. I blink heavily to find myself back at Jaxon’s pack house, in his infirmary.
I don’t remember much after Ryker flung my body around like a ragdoll with the inhuman powers he has, even for a wolf. It’s not right. It’s not fair that someone so vile gets to inherit those kinds of abilities.
My breathing hitches suddenly. Where is Caleb?
The door to the room opens, and I flick my attention towards Gemma, who looks relieved to find that I’m awake.
“Hi, Evan,” she says softly. “How are you feeling?”
“Where’s Caleb?” I croak.
