Chapter 40: I Promise To Protect You
1428 Words
Ryker’s POV
Pain exploded in my left side as I hit the ground hard.
I couldn’t stop the shout that tore from my throat. Pain burned through my ribs, and I felt something cold lodged deep into my flesh.
A knife.
I had jumped in front of Lucy, taking the stab in her place.
I gritted my teeth, trying to breathe through it, but every movement sent waves of pain through my body.
Through the haze, I heard his voice—my brother.
“We’ll be back, dear brother,” he snarled. “This isn't over. You and your little hybrid b***h won’t last long. The throne is already ours.”
His footsteps disappeared into the distance, but his words sank into my mind.
Then I felt soft hands on me.
“Ryker!” Lucy’s voice cracked. “Ryker, stay with me!”
Her arms hooked under mine, and she dragged me across the lawn. Blood smeared across the tiles as she hauled me inside the mansion. I tried to lift my legs, but I was just dead weight now. I couldn't even groan properly.
“Someone help!” she shouted. “I need a first aid kit! Maids, where are you?!”
Silence.
Only the sound of the rain tapping the windows and my shallow breathing.
Lucy cursed under her breath, then ran into the kitchen to fetch them herself.
A moment later, she came running back from the kitchen, her hair a tangled mess and her hands full of supplies. She dropped beside me, opened the kit, and pulled out scissors and bandages.
“You’re about to feel a hurricane of pain,” she muttered, then grabbed the handle of the knife.
“No…wait—”
She yanked.
I let out another scream, my body arching off the floor. Sweat poured down my face. I was seeing stars.
“Sorry!” she gasped, tossing the bloodied blade aside.
She pressed a towel to the wound and started wrapping me tightly. I could see her hands shaking, her fingers stained red.
“Don’t worry about me Lucy,” I croaked. “I’ll be fine.”
She gave me a worried look. “You’re bleeding out, and you say that you'll be fine!?”
“I’m serious.” I tried to sit up, bracing my weight on my elbow.
Big mistake.
Pain shot through my whole side, and I collapsed again with a groan.
Lucy narrowed her eyes and slapped the side of my head lightly, but with enough force to make her point.
“You’re not going anywhere tonight,” she scolded. “You’re staying right here so I can keep an eye on your dumb ass.”
Despite the pain, I chuckled. “You sound like my mother.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment,” she said, then stood and rushed to the kitchen again.
When she came back, she had a steaming cup of tea in her hands.
“Here,” she said, kneeling beside me. “Drink this.”
I sat up with effort and took the cup, but the moment I sipped, I winced.
“Too hot,” I muttered.
She rolled her eyes and took it from me. “Big bad Alpha can fight off wolves but can’t handle a little hot tea?”
Then she dipped a spoon into the cup and blew on it gently before holding it to my lips.
I blinked at her. “Seriously?”
“Just open your damn mouth,” she said firmly.
I obeyed without complaint.
The tea was warm and sweet now. She fed me slowly, one spoonful at a time.
I couldn’t stop smiling. I just couldn't help it.
She caught the grin and narrowed her eyes. “Wipe that smirk off your face. You're the reason I almost died tonight.”
My smile faded. Guilt twisted a bit in my chest.
“I’m sorry,” I said softly. “I didn’t mean for any of this.”
She sighed and set the tea down.
“What happened before I got here?” I asked, suddenly remembering the pile of bodies I met outside.
“There were… bodies outside. Wolves everywhere. But you weren’t hurt.”
She hesitated, just for a second.
“Someone was here,” she finally said. “Someone was here protecting me at first. He took them all down before you arrived.”
I frowned. “Who?”
“I don’t know,” she replied quickly. Too quickly…
“He didn’t say. After the fight, he just ran off.”
“Ran off?” I raised an eyebrow. “Why?”
“Maybe… maybe he sensed you coming, I don't know,” she said, avoiding my eyes.
I stared at her for a moment, but nodded. “Makes sense.”
I took another spoonful of tea, then coughed suddenly, chest tight.
She rushed to steady the cup, worried.
I caught her hand mid-air, holding it gently.
“Lucy,” I said, my voice quieter. “How are you doing?”
She looked around the bloody room. The shattered furniture. The broken glass and stained floor.
Then looked back at me.
“What kind of question is that? What do you think?”
“I’m sorry,” I whispered. “For everything I’ve pulled you into.”
She didn’t say anything. Just set the spoon down and leaned forward. Then pressed a soft kiss to my cheek.
“Thank you for saving my life tonight,” she said.
It didn't sound forced. Could it be that she actually meant it? Lucy thanking me?
I didn’t push my luck.
Suddenly, she cried out, her hands flying to her stomach.
I sat up straighter. “What? What is it?”
Her face lit up—not with fear, but with surprise.
“They’re kicking,” she said breathlessly. “The twins… They must know their dad is here.”
My heart swelled. I reached out and placed my hand gently over her belly.
A little thump greeted me from the inside.
I smiled. Here I was, with the mother of my babies, with everything I had; they were my world.
“They know,” I said softly. “They know their parents are close.”
Lucy looked at me, eyes glassy with emotion.
I cupped her face and wiped away the tear that escaped her eye.
“I won’t let anything happen to you,” I whispered. “Or our babies. I swear it”
She broke down then. Silent tears rolled down her cheeks, and I pulled her into my arms. She clung to me, her body shaking as I held her close.
“It’s all going to be okay,” I whispered into her hair. “I promise.”
Rain began to fall outside, soft at first, then steadier. It tapped against the windows, calming and gentle. The storm inside the house began to settle too.
I tilted her chin up, brushing her hair away from her face.
My heart pounded.
“Lucy,” I whispered, “can I… kiss you?”
She looked at me with tired, glassy eyes, then gave me the smallest, sweetest smile.
“Yes.”
I leaned in slowly.
When our lips met, it wasn’t rushed, it didn't seem desperate—it was soft, warm, and ultimately real.
Something inside my chest cracked open at that moment, like a door I didn’t even know was locked.
When we pulled apart, it felt like the world paused. Like everything around us was breathless.
“I wish I could leave this place,” Lucy whispered. “I wish we could just disappear. Go somewhere far away.”
I jolted upright. What she said gave me an idea
She blinked. “What? What’s wrong?”
“I have an idea,” I said, grabbing her hands. “Lucy… we can disappear.”
She stared at me, confused.
“You, me, and the twins,” I said. “We’ll leave tonight before they come back. You deliver the babies far away from all this madness, somewhere safe. And when they’re strong enough… We'll return.”
She stared at me, still processing what I had just said.
“You want us to run? That's your solution?” she asked.
“I just want you safe,” I replied. “This fight—it’s only going to get worse. I won’t risk you or our children. Please, Lucy. You have to trust me.”
She looked down at our joined hands, then back up at me.
“No!"
- Writer
