Page 118 of Hero of Havoc

“I’m going to make you pay for this,” he promises, and her laughter stops as she narrows her eyes at him.

“You're not going to do anything, little boy,” she promises, taking a step toward him, and he accepts it, intercepting her to protect my lifeless body at the same time, and she bares her teeth.

“Listen here,” he starts, and she cracks the back of her hand across his face before leaning close, her facial features more menacing than ever.

“Just thank your lucky stars that the only reason you're still breathing right now is that I still have use for you. Otherwise, you'd be screaming right beside her. Lifeless, with no way back.”

27

IVY

My eyelashes flutter, beckoning me to the surface as exhaustion clings to me in every way. Despite how much I want to remain in the depths of slumber, my body refuses.

Gentle hands touch my face, luring me to the light, forcing me to pry my eyes open, where I find myself staring deep into Teddy's blue orbs.

His eyes are wet, tears streaked down his cheeks as he cups my face with one hand, using the other to manage his device.

“Pick up, pick up, pick up,” he chants, frustration clinging to him.

I hate seeing him so pained.

It shatters me even more than I already feel.

My instinctive need to soothe him has me placing my hand over his on my cheek, watching as he freezes. His eyes widen as he turns to mine.

“Ivy,” he rasps, confusion lilting his tone, and I try to smile, but I think I fail miserably as he inches closer, his eyebrows gathering. “Are you okay? Oh my… what the fuck? I don't know what's going on right now. I thought she killed you,” he blurts, and nausea turns in my stomach, bile burning up my throat.

I try to find the ability to speak, but confusion takes root deep inside of me, making it harder than ever.

Gulping, I fail to dislodge the lump in my throat.

“Teddy, she did,” I croak, and he shakes his head in confusion, eyes narrowing as he leans even closer.

His fingers ghost over my hair, like he’s making sure I’m real. “Princess, I haven't moved you anywhere; your memory is still intact because you know my name, and I haven’t spent a minimum of seventy-two hours fearing for your life in the medical center.”

My fingers tighten around his.

“I don't know if this makes any sense,” I start, my mind swirling too fast for me to keep up. “But I know she killed me. The process inside of me… it didn't change.”

He presses his lips in a thin line as he drags his free hand through his hair. “But you're not experiencing any memory loss or extended period of time to rejuvenate,” he clarifies, and I don't have an answer for him. “Are you hurting right now?” he asks, leaning back enough to rake his eyes over my body, and I follow his line of sight, only to realize that the clothes I’m wearing aren’t the same as earlier.

Blinking at my hated mate, I slowly take note of him enough to realize he’s only in his boxer shorts, and the clothes I’m wearing are his.

“I’m sorry,” I rasp, finding the strength to reach out to him and run my hand along his bare stomach. I hate that he sacrificed himself in this way to protect me, and he scoffs.

“Princess, please. There's no apology here,” he insists, his words similar to those I spoke to Sax earlier, leaving me no room to argue back.

“Hello? Hello? Fucker! What do you want? Where are you guys?” Baron's voice cuts through the air, and it takes me a moment to realize it's coming from Teddy's device.

Teddy must realize at the same time, quickly scrambling into action and lifting his device to his ear. “Baron, get the hell over here right now! Ivy’s mom just… fuck! Just get here!”

“I don't know where here is!” Baron barks back, and Teddy groans.

“Out by the forest, you won't miss us,” he states, ending the call to return his attention to me. “We're gonna figure this out, Ivy,” he promises.

“How long was I out for?” I ask, curious, and he runs his tongue along his bottom lip as he glances at his watch.

“Five minutes. Enough time for me to try and call the group chat repeatedly while I at least got you dressed,” he offers, and I gulp.