AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Cazar, stop!” Evie demanded, her voice trembling and her hands shaking with nerves as Cazar reached for his father. Petrified that he wouldn’t listen to her, she blurted, “You’re scaring me!”
He paused with one hand in midair.
Cazar tilted his head, glancing down at her in visible confusion. Slowly, he shook his head as if to clear it, eyes fading back to gray. He stared down at the both of them with growing despair and horror.
Evie twisted to her father-in-law. “Are you okay?”
Jakkar clutched his arm, his face pinched with pain as he nodded. Relief poured through her, but she was worried he was lying to make them feel better. His arm was at an odd angle, and his breathing was wrong. Too shallow and unsteady.
He needed to be taken to a doctor.
She didn’t think she could forgive herself if something happened to Cazar’s dad because she’d been teasing her mate. She’d wanted to prove to Cazar that he would never harm her, and he hadn’t. Instead, he’d done something worse.
“I hurt you?” Cazar asked his father in disbelief, his antlers gradually shrinking until they disappeared altogether. “I-I don’t remember, I was so consumed by–” Cazar paused, his mouth flattening into a harsh line. “I have no excuse for my actions. I harmed you, I could have harmed Evie.”
The way he said her name was pained, and Evie felt her heart crack at how desolate he sounded.
“Oh, Cazar...”
“I am fine,” Jakkar stated roughly, and then he winced, hunching over with a wheeze.
Cazar took a stumbling step backward, and Evie reached for him, hoping to provide him with some comfort now that his control had returned.
“You need to leave, both of you. Now!” Cazar bellowed. His eyes were wild before he turned and ran from the room, leaving the two of them alone.
Evie gasped, blinking back a flurry of tears that rose to the surface.
She’d never seen Cazar like this, and it was all because of her. She’d wanted to help him see that they could get through anything together, but instead she’d driven him past his breaking point, and he’d attacked his own father accidentally.
What the hell had she been thinking? Nothing. She’d been feeling, wanting to show her mate how good they could work together. But she hadn’t understood Cazar’s worries at all. She hadn’t listened to his concerns, only her desires and needs after weeks apart.
Stupid.
She sniffled, wiping at her nose with the sleeve of her dress.
“It’ll be alright, dear.” Jakkar patted her soothingly on the shoulder. Evie let out a breathy laugh, shaking her head as she stood back to her feet. Of course, Jakkar would be injured and seek to console her instead of taking care of himself. He was such a good father, unlike the one she had back home.
Her dad never would have comforted her, especially if he was injured. And even less so had she ultimately been the cause of it.
“I’m so sorry,” she told him, her chin wobbling. She helped Jakkar up from the ground, ignoring his reassurances. “This is all my fault. I should have listened to Cazar.”
“There is no sense dwelling on the past,” Jakkar admonished lightly. “It does nothing but cause wrinkles and indigestion.”
“Jakkar, now is not the time for jokes!” Evie exclaimed, though her lips twitched as she bit back a sudden, borderline hysterical laugh. “Did you bring a transport here or did you walk?”
“A transport.”
Evie nodded, biting the inside of her cheek to keep herself centered. “That’s great, we might need to get you checked out by a physician. What hurts?” she asked, inspecting him.
“I’m fine, I can assure you.”
Evie glared at Jakkar, not buying what he was selling in the slightest. The older man sighed. “I believe I’ve punctured a lung and dislocated my shoulder.”
“Oh my God! That isnotfine, Jakkar. We need to go to the hospital immediately.“ In fact, they should have left already. She could feel sorry for herself later. Much, much later.
Jakkar tried to wave away her worry, but he flinched, clutching his arm. He finally nodded his head in resignation.
“Perhaps some assistance with this matter would be beneficial.” He sounded rather bothered by a trip to the hospital, and his blasé attitude calmed her down more than anything else could have in that moment. Was it a front to make her feel less like shit? Maybe. Jakkar was always looking out for his sons and their wives.
