Chapter 124
~ ROWAN
I held her close, ignoring the blood that clung to her and the slight crazed look in her eyes.
A part of me did not want to believe it, that she was here, in my arms.
We had only just arrived. The border was easy to conquer and we were prepared to march on the pack house and demand her back. I did not think that I would find her so quickly… so easily.
I pulled back to stare at her, brushing her hair out of her face. “What happened p>
She opened her mouth to speak but closed it almost instantly, head shaking as fresh tears streamed down her cheeks. “I… he… no p>
“Nyssa, baby, you have to talk to me. What happened? Where did all the blood come from? Are you hurt p>
She shook her head. “Henry. I… oh goddess p>
She buried her face into her hands and began to sob, shoulders shaking violently p>
“Is he dead?” I asked and she shook her head.
“I couldn’t… I stabbed him so many times. I couldn’t stop. I wanted him to die p>
I wish he was dead, but judging by her state, it was a good thing he wasn’t. I wasn’t sure she would be able to deal with the guilt that would come from killing him herself.
“Where is he now?” She murmured an address, eyes hazy and heavy with sleep. “I’m going to leave you with the guards, okay p>
Her eyes widened in panic. “Please, don’t go p>
My heart fucking shattered at the desperation in her eyes, at how she clung to me, fingers digging into my arms. SHe looked a mess, and it was that bastard’s fault.
My jaw clenched in anger at the thought of him. He did not deserve to breathe for even a second longer.
“You’ll be safe,” I assured her, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead. “I swear it. Eric will be waiting for you p>
“Eric p>
I nodded.
I still did not like him, but he was good to her, and the mere mention of him seemed to calm her, just a little.
“I’ll be back, I promise p>
With one last lingering kiss to her forehead, I nodded to one of the guards.
Once he was within reach, I spoke directly into his mind. “If anything happens to her, there will be fucking hell to pay. Get her out of the pack, take her to one of the cars and ask Eric and Aria to meet you there p>
“Yes, Your Majesty p>
“If you come across any pack guards, kill them first. Do you understand me p>
“Of course p>
I slammed the mind link shut and released Nyssa.
It took her a moment longer to let go of me and as she was led away, it felt like a fraction of my heart was leaving with her. I wanted to hold her close, to lock us both in a fucking tower, away from any and every threat, but before that, there was someone else I needed to deal with.
It wasn’t hard to find the house.
I followed Nyssa’s scent through the forest until I came out in front of a large brownstone. It was beautiful, designed fucking perfectly. My teeth gritted as I thought of all the horrors she had to endure.
I walked up the steps alone.
I did not want my guards to see this so I sent them to the pack house. They would keep the others busy while I dealt with the bastard.
The smell of blood hit me as soon as I opened the door. Groaning filtered in from my right and I turned to find Henry－ what remained of him anyway. There was so much blood that I could not make out his features.
My lips curved as I took in how badly Nyssa had fucked him up.
I closed the door behind me, thankful for the key in the lock as I turned it.
He lifted his eyes at the sound, and I saw his entire body go rigid.
“Hello, Henry,” I drawled, taking a few steps towards him. “You look terrible p>
A gargled sound left him as he tried to drag himself away, but he could barely move an inch before I was upon him, my heel digging into his palm.
A groan of pain greeted me and my lips curved in amusement.
“You weren’t expecting me, I’m sure,” I continued. “But you should have known I would be here p>
I reached for the pocket knife I always kept in my pockets and flipped it open. I crouched down in front of him, letting the blade trail across his cheek softly, not making a mark.
“When I am done with you, you are going to wish that she killed you p>
A soft pressure at the back of my head had me lowering my walls.
Jeremiah’s voice filled my ears. “We’re at the pack house. The council came out to us. What are our orders? Are we to kill them all p>
“No, I already found who I’m looking for.” I glanced down at Henry who lay helpless on the floor. “Tell the pack that their Alpha is dead. If they wish to fight, they can join him. If they don’t, then they better stay the fuck out of our way p>
I slammed the link shut, letting my dagger dig into the skin at his cheek.
I marveled at the blood that pooled.
“I wish you could speak.” I murmured, rising to my feet. “Where did you put her?” He did not respond, he just lay there on the floor helpless. “No answer? That’s fine, I’ll follow her scent p>
Dragging him by the hair, I followed Nyssa’s scent. Thankfully, it took a clear path, down a hallway, towards what looked to be a laundry room.
Henry protested against my hold, groaning as he was dragged into a white room and through a door leading to a dark basement.
Rage swirled in my gut as I took in threadbare mattress and chains on the wall. The smell of fuel was so thick and pungent.
I gazed down at Henry. He was healing already The cut I’d inflicted on his cheek was closing up and so was the cut to his throat but the ones to his body still bled out. It meant she’d hit some internal organs that were working overtime.
“I take it you can speak p>
“Please,” he managed out. “I’m sorry p>
“You will be,” I promised as I threw him down the stairs. “Lucky for you, I need to be with my mate soon, but don’t worry, there is so much fun we can have in thirty minutes p>