Jax's POV The ride back to my territory dissolved into a haze of pain and exhaustion, leaving behind only disjointed memories: Kai's warm hands against my skin checking my wounds, the bite of the cold wind through my torn clothes, and the rhythmic stride of my horse beneath me. When we finally crossed the border into my land, my strength gave out and I nearly slipped from the saddle. Kai caught me before I hit the ground. "Jax," he said, his voice sharp with urgency. "Jax, stay with me." "I'm here," I managed, my voice reduced to a rasp. "I'm not going anywhere." He took my weight and half-carried me into the house, my entire body screaming in protest with every step. Once inside, he lowered me onto the couch and immediately set to work. Though his hands remained steady, the color had drained completely from his face. "You lost a lot of blood," he said. "I need to get you patched up." "Do what you have to do." He worked in silence, carefully cleaning and bandaging each
Read more