Ethan’s POV
I can’t just leave like this.
The thought burned in my chest, sparking with anger and desperation. I couldn’t leave without seeing her first. Not after everything that had happened, not after everything I’d lost.
I wanted to see her. I needed to know. I needed to know if she had really moved on from . The Riley I knew—the Riley who used to love like crazy—would never just forget. Would never just move on.
She had always been reckless with her emotions, fiery, obsessed with .
I clenched my fists. They were threatening with divorce? Divorcing ? Who the hell did they think they were? That would never happen. I would never let Riley divorce , never for anything. She was mine, and no one, no one would take her away from .
I slapped my head sharply, frustration coursing through . What the hell was wrong with again?
I didn’t even realize how much my thoughts were consud by her. Every mory, every image of her kept creeping into my mind. Her voice, her boldness,
... I shook my head violently, trying to shake off the images. But I couldn’t. I didn’t want to. Maybe it was obsession. Maybe I was going insane. But I didn’t care. I just wanted her. Only her.
My chest heaved as I stord out of the room, moving fast through the halls, my boots hitting the cold floor with a sharp echo.
I needed to see her, even if only for a mont. Even if she hated now. Even if she had moved on. I needed to know and ask her myself because Riley can’t just unlove because of a few mistakes I made.
The halls were empty, dimly lit, silent except for the sound of my steps. I moved carefully, straining my senses.
And then—sothing moved.
Soone rushed past , fast, almost too fast to track. Sothing fell to the ground with a wet sound. My head snapped to the side, instincts kicking in instantly.
Blood.
My eyes followed the trail as it dropped onto the floor.
And then I saw her.
Daphne.
She turned slightly, locking eyes with for a split second. Horror flashed across her face, and for a mont, I thought she might attack. Then, almost as quickly as she had appeared, she turned and ran.
I didn’t hesitate. I dashed toward the area she had co from, my legs moving with speed I hadn’t realized I still had in until I dashed inside the room Daphne ca out from.
And then I saw her.
Riley.
Sprawled on the ground. Blood was seeping from her hips, spreading across the floor. Her hair was splayed around her head, her eyes closed, her body limp.
My stomach dropped instantly.
"Damn! What the hell happened here?!" I shouted, panic and anger coiling through .
I didn’t even think. My hands went to her, and I grabbed her carefully, pulling her into my arms. Her body was light, fragile, and yet the energy radiating from her even while unconscious—felt like fire against my own.
"Riley! Riley!" I called frantically, shaking her gently, my voice rough and hoarse. "Wake up! Answer !"
No response. She didn’t move, didn’t stir, didn’t even make a sound.
My chest tightened further, panic clawing at . I glanced over her, checking every inch of her, looking for the source of her wounds. Her hips—there it was. Blood staining the front of her dress.
I pressed my fingers against it instinctively, trying to stem the flow, but my heart sank at the realization.
She had been stabbed. She was in pain. She was weak, and she was mine right now.
And even like this... even unconscious, even bloodied and wounded, she looked ravishing. My eyes road over her reluctantly, almost shalessly, and I licked my lips as a wicked thought crossed my mind.
Even in this state, even at her weakest, she had a hold over that I couldn’t shake.
My hands tightened around her, holding her closer to . I could feel her body trembling slightly against my chest, small shivers that made my instincts flare with sothing I couldn’t na yet. Rage. Protection. Desire. All mixed together, boiling hot.
I couldn’t let this go..
"Riley..." I whispered again, my voice cracking slightly with urgency, my eyes never leaving her pale face.
I could feel the blood under my fingers, warm and sticky, and a surge of anger rolled over . I didn’t care about anyone else.
My fingers tightened slightly on her hip, pressing gently to try to slow the bleeding, my other arm holding her steady against . My mind raced.
Even in this weakened state, even with every nerve screaming at , I could feel the power of my frustration and obsession building. My body ached to claim her, to make sure no one ever got close to her again.
She stirred slightly. Her eyelids fluttered, slow and uneven. Relief shot through , sharp and blinding. I held her tighter, whispering her na softly.
"Riley... stay with ..."
Her body shifted slightly, weakly, and I felt a flicker of life in her again. I could almost breathe, almost believe she would be okay.
I licked my lips again, my gaze dropping to her even in her unconscious state. The thought that she was here with was intoxicating. And yet, every second she lay in my arms like this reminded of how close I had co to losing her.
A wicked, burning thought coursed through as my heart pounded.
I pressed her closer to my body, my hand smoothing over her hair, feeling her warmth against my chest.
My jaw tightened, my eyes narrowed, and a cold, determined fire ignited in .
All that mattered... was her and I was taking her with right now, I smiled as I muttered "Thank you, Daphne for this gift,"
Finally, the universe has smiled on because Gunnar, Cane and Caden are never seeing her again.
"Don’t worry Riley, I’ll take care of your wounds when we get to crescent hollow"
I lifted her into my arms, and took off~
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