"Reject who?" I interjected. "Who am I supposed to reject?" I asked, drawing both of their attention. They both turned to .
I moved closer to them. "Who am I supposed to reject?" I asked again, glancing between the two.
"No one," Bryce answered, then shifted his gaze away and turned toward his door.
Cooper smiled at . "What are you doing here? I asked you to wait in my room," he said, but I didn’t respond.
Bryce was about to go into his room when I spoke up. "Was I supposed to reject Ryan? You know who he is, don’t you? I have a feeling you do."
Bryce looked back at . "I do; you told about him today," he replied.
I stepped closer to him. "You knew him before I even ntioned him," I said.
He sighed. "It’s late, go to bed," he murmured, attempting to go inside again.
"It never actually occurred to until now. Why did it never occur to ?" I started. "That you might know Ryan. I’ve been a fool trying to hide him from you, not realizing you might already know him."
I scoffed. "Of course, you know him. You’ve never stopped keeping track of . You know everyone around , everyone who cos close to . Why am I just realizing this? I must be very slow and stupid," I groaned.
"Don’t say that," Cooper hushed. "You might be slow, but you’re not stupid," he muttered.
I snapped my gaze to him. Is he implying that I’m slow? I frowned at him.
"Let’s do as he said and go to bed. Co on, I’ll take you to your room; you’ve had a long day." He ca to , held around my waist, and tried to guide away, but I wriggled out of his grip.
"I need an explanation. Tell what you know about him—not just that he’s my mate, but sothing else, sothing I don’t know. Was he the one who hurt you? If so, what happened between you? Was he also the one who hurt Bryce?"
"Why do you love keeping in the dark? It’s frustrating," I bemoaned.
"Ara," Cooper groaned.
"Tell what you two were discussing. I’m tired of always being in the dark. Speak to , please," I begged. I can’t believe I have to beg for information from them. I honestly can’t believe it.
Cooper exhaled and ran his fingers through his short hair. "Why are you being so stubborn tonight? It’s unlike you," he murmured.
"Because I’m desperate for answers," I replied. "I want to know why you did that to Ryan and also why he stabbed you. I need this information if I’m to..."
"If you’re to do what?" Bryce cut in. "What do you intend to do with the information?" he pressed.
I shifted my gaze to him. "I want to know if it’s right to show him so empathy. He’s in the hospital; I left him there alone. He claid you guys were responsible for him, but I left him. I want to know if I did the right thing," I stated.
"If your heart tells you to care for him, then do it; you don’t need us for that. Just follow whatever your heart says," he answered.
"Bryce!" Cooper, clearly displeased with his answer, didn’t hide his irritation.
He huffed. "How could you say that? You want her to go back to that jerk?" Cooper stared at him in disbelief.
"You heard what she said, didn’t you? He is her mate. He has the sa right and privilege you have. If she chooses to be with him, then there’s nothing you or I can do," Bryce stated.
Cooper huffed again, staring at Bryce as if he had grown an extra head.
Bryce looked at again. "Do what you want; no one will stop you," he said, then proceeded into his room and locked the door.
Cooper huffed yet again, leaning against the wall and closing his eyes. "Bryce must be out of his damn mind," he muttered.
"Are you okay?" I leaned closer to him.
He opened his eyes. "I’m not fine," he admitted.
"Of course you can’t be; you’ve lost so much blood. How can you be fine?" I said, holding his arm. "I’ll take you to your room; lean on ."
"No."
"You need a doctor, Cooper. Why are you being stubborn?"
"I don’t want you to go to him," he said.
"What?" Is he talking about Ryan?
"Don’t go to him; I’ll be really sick if you go to him."
"Cooper, you’re in critical condition; let escort you to your room."
"Promise you won’t go to him."
"Cooper, co on."
"You have to make a promise first," he insisted.
"Alright, I promise I won’t go to him," I said.
"You won’t go to who?"
"Ryan. I won’t go to him, okay? Are you satisfied now?" I rolled my eyes.
He smiled, ca behind , wrapped his arms around my waist, and rested his head on my neck. "I think I’ll need a doctor."
"Of course you need one; you’re turning into a ghost," I groaned.
"Help to my room."
"I can’t walk this way."
"You asked to lean on you."
"No, not this way; walking will be a little difficult."
"But I want to remain like this with you, sniffing you," he grumbled.
"This is not the right ti for that," I scolded. Why can’t he prioritize his health?
"Okay, if you say so." He unwrapped his arms from . I held his arm and began to walk him to his room. Once we got there, he fell onto the bed.
"I’m sleepy," he murmured. "Can you turn off the light?"
"You’re not sleepy, you’re losing consciousness," I groaned. "Do not close your eyes; give a minute, I’ll ask for help." I left the room and went to Bryce’s.
I knocked on the door. "Can you call your doctor? Cooper is sick," I said.
"I already called one," he answered.
"Thank you." I returned to Cooper’s room.
"Bryce called a doctor; he is on his way," I inford him. "He should be here within thirty minutes. I’ll stay with you until the doctor arrives." I walked to his side and sat on the bed.
Is he asleep? I told him not to sleep.
"Cooper," I called his na when I saw his eyes closed. "I told you to hold it in." I tapped his cheek, but he didn’t move. I leaned closer and checked his breathing and his pulse.
Shit. He has a weak pulse. He’s lost consciousness. I warned him about this and told him it’d be better to get treated at a hospital, but he didn’t listen.
He acted tough for no reason. He gambled with his life.
Why do they keep behaving so foolishly? This is annoying. I’ll scold him a lot if he ever wakes up, and if he doesn’t wake up... Well, he’d better wake up.
I grabbed my phone and dialed Bryce’s number. I wish I could dial 911, but I can’t do that without permission.
"Hello," he answered.
"Cooper is not responding. I checked him; his pulse is weak. He is in danger."
"I’ll be there," he said and hung up.
He ca into the room a mont later, then dialed the doctor. "He is in critical condition. How long until you get here?" he asked over the phone.
"I’ll take him to a hospital then; there’s one close by." He hung up and put his phone in his pocket.
He picked Cooper up from the bed and hoisted him over his shoulder. "Is he going to be okay?" I whispered, following as he carried Cooper out of the room.
"He will, go to bed."
"How can I go to bed? You’re also a patient yourself; you got shot, rember?"
But Bryce didn’t respond; he turned toward Parker’s room and yelled his na.
Parker ca out. "Don’t allow her out of this house," Bryce ordered before heading down the stairs.
What? Why is he keeping here? I’m not a prisoner.
I tried to follow, but Parker stopped . "You heard him; he doesn’t want you there. Go to bed," he muttered.
"But Cooper is hurt. Bryce is also hurt. Both of them are patients; they need a healthy person by their side," I argued.
"He doesn’t want you there; I’ll take you to your room." He took my hand and walked to my room.
"Don’t think of sneaking out; I’ll tell the guards not to let you leave the house," he warned, then closed the door.
"I’m not a prisoner; why do I have to do everything Bryce says?" I complained, but the only sound I heard was the sound of his retreating footsteps.
Cooper is in this state because he refused to listen to . If only he had, his condition wouldn’t have gotten worse.
These guys are so frustrating.
I walked to my bed and sat down. I stayed there and eventually fell asleep. I woke up late the next day. It was a few minutes past 10:00 am.
Shit, no one woke up.
I rushed out of my room and went to Bryce’s. Is he back? I want to know Cooper’s condition.
I knocked on the door but got no response. He’s not back.
I went to Parker’s room but didn’t find him.
Wait, where’s my phone? I left it in Cooper’s room last night. I have to get it.
I got my phone and dialed their numbers, but no one answered.
When I got tired, I decided to call Gavin. Since the others didn’t answer, maybe he would.
And he did.
Gavin answered on the third ring, but his voice was rough and cracked, like he’d been crying.
"Hello, Gavin, are you okay?" I asked, concerned.
He sniffed. "I’m not; he is dead," he said.
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