166
166
LYRIC
I rushed to the door and opened without knocking. I barged into the room, my eyes darting around, I gasped when I saw the sight in front of me.
There was a woman on her knees, her back to me. But it wasn’t the sight that bothered me. It was the man in front of her.
Jaris was lying on his side, his hands and legs chained. He was shirtless with black pants on. Pure horror filled me at how sweaty and sick he looked.
The young woman sprang to her feet, eyes wide in shock as she stared at me with a bowl of something in her hand.
“Who are you?” I threw at her first.
“Have you lost your mind? You barged in here and think you’re the one who gets to ask the questions? Who are you?”
I took my eyes round the room. On the table were so many herbs, portions and things I hadn’t seen before. Was she a healer? But Maddy never made mention of Jaris being with someone.
I looked at the lady again. Long orange–dyed hair with large green eyes. She was pretty but looked really mean.
I ignored her and tried going to Jaris, but she held my hand before I could reach him.
“I said who the hell are you?!”
“I’m Lyric–his mate!” I wrenched my hand free and continued to meet him.
The sight was heartbreaking. His eyes were closed like he was unconscious, but his breathing was too hard.
“How did you know he was here?” The girl asked behind me.
I didn’t respond as I touched Jaris‘ forehead with my hand.
“What the…” I quickly pulled my hand away. He was burning up.
“What have you been doing to him?” I asked without looking at the lady as I touched his hair.
“What do you think? I’m a healer and he called me here to help him.”
And you’d been calling him ‘baby‘? I wanted to snap but held back the question. That wasn’t the important thing for now.
I scurried to my feet and went to the table to get a bowl.
“What do you think you’re doing?” Ms. Healer asked.
“He’s burning up. That obviously needs to be regulated.”
I rushed into the kitchen and filled the bowl with water.
“What do you think I’ve been trying to do this whole time?” Ms. Healer asked as soon as I returned to the room. “I am his healer. I know better than you do. So, step aside.”
“I am his mate and a doctor!” I snapped at her before grabbing a napkin and dropping to my knees before Jaris.
I didn’t understand what her relationship was with Jaris yet, but the fact that she’d spent the night with him and had to see him shirtless this whole time filled me with a certain kind of rage.
Dipping the napkin into the water and wringing it, I used it to wipe his body. The girl was watching like a hawk, so I couldn’t start Siphoning him just yet. But the moments my hands touched him, I felt him getting better.
“You know, Alpha Jaris came here for a reason–to be alone. If I were you, I’d leave.”
I scoffed. “I didn’t drive all the way here to leave him alone.”
“I’m telling you; he’ll be fine with me. I was the one that took care of him when it happened years ago. Why do you think he called me this time around again?”
“Oh.” I turned slightly to look at her. “So, it was you. Took you a whole year to help him get better. I’m afraid we don’t have the luxury of time right now.”
Jaris suddenly jerked, startling me. I fell back on my butts and even made the water from the bowl spill a little.
He released a low groan, pulling at his chains which were somehow connected to the roof to ensure he didn’t break out of them.
His eyes were still closed, making me understand whatever he was passing through was only in his head.
“Get away from there!” The healer rushed forward and pushed me back, taking my spot. She had something in her hand and applied it all over his chest.
“Wh–What’s that?” I inquired. But she didn’t give me an answer. But I noticed Jaris became calm.
She stood up and glared at me. “I told you to leave him alone. This is my job where I know best.”
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She walked away, returning to her table of herbs. I stood up slowly, grabbing my own bowl and napkin.
I thought I was helping.
The healer turned to me, one hand on her hip. “If I were you, I’d get out of here.”
“Well, you’re not me. So stop wishing.”
I was done with her trying to get me to leave like she was the only one permitted to be around Jaris.
I went out of the cabin, needing a breath of fresh air.
When I felt calmer, I put a call through to Jace to know how it was going with Penelope’s sister. He didn’t talk to me last night after his argument with Kael. And even this morning, he just left without letting me know.
He seemed to be angry at himself and everyone around him.
“Hey, how’s it going?” I asked when he picked up.
“I don’t even know. But there’s someone else staying with her. I’m suspecting it might be Penelope. She just won’t open up to me, Jace responded.
“Jace, if you have to break through into that house, you do that. I don’t even care. If Penelope is in there~”
“I know. She keeps insisting that she doesn’t know where her sister is. But she mentioned something that gave her away. She said even if I were to see Penelope, she wouldn’t be able to help.”
I frowned. “What did she mean by that?”
“Wish I knew. Don’t worry, I’m still looking…”
I became distracted when I heard the healer say something from inside.
“You’re awake!”
“Jace, I have to go. I’ll call you back.” I ended the call, running back into the house.
The Healer was kneeling in front of Jaris, holding a glass of water.
Jaris was awake. He was lying on his back now with his hands chained. But he was awake.
“You should drink this,” Ms. Healer held the glass to his lips.
He lifted his head slightly with the lady’s hand going under his head to support him. He was taking small gulps from the glass when his eyes finally landed on me.
He drew back his head in an instant, his brows furrowed.
“Lyric?” There was a rough edge to his voice.
“A–Alpha.” I went forward to meet him, dropping to a crouch just beside the Healer. “How’re you feeling? A–Are you alright?”
I tried to touch his face, but he pulled his head back.
“Is she real?” He asked the healer.
Did he also have illusions?
The healer nodded. Though, she looked like she’d rather lie to him.
“What’re you doing here?” Jaris‘ tone was wounded.
“I–I was worried. I-”
“Did Maddy tell you about this?”
When I didn’t say anything, he groaned and hit his head on the floor.
“Lyric, I need you to leave. You shouldn’t be here.”
With each passing second, my throat was getting tighter to release words.
Something broke within me at the sight of the man before me. He didn’t need to say it to let me know he was in pain. Seeing him like this…it was a tortuous sight.
“I’m so sorry,” The words slipped out, my voice breaking. “We shouldn’t have gone to the diner. Maybe then, Caden wouldn’t have done whatever he did to make you like this.”
Hot liquid touched my cheeks.
“Stop being silly,” he hissed. “I do not have the time for this right now. I just need you to leave, Lyric. It’s about to get ugly.” My body wracking with sobs, I shook my head. “I’m not leaving you. Not like this.”
“You don’t understand!”
.
“And I don’t care!” I wiped my cheek. “I’m staying here with you. I’ll help you get better. I promise.”
The Healer huffed. “I’m the only one that can help him get better.”
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“Ericka, I need you to get her out of here. You know why.” His voice was growing weaker, his lids heavier. He looked like he’d be slipping into unconsciousness anytime soon.
“I’m not leaving!” I glared hard at the healer–Ericka. “I promise you, if you try to touch me, you won’t like it.”
Looking back at Jaris, I discovered he’d already passed out.
“Alpha. Alpha Jaris.” I gently shook his hand. But there was no response.
The tears poured more.
Ericka tried to convince me to leave, but I didn’t listen to her and only went out of the house to clear my head.
