Free Web NovelChapter 19: Chapter 19 Between Death and Desire
Renzo’s POV
The doctor nodded, confirming Ryder’s blunt summary.
“Yes.... technically, yes.”
Ronan let out a low growl. “That doesn’t make any sense.”
“It makes perfect sense,” the doctor countered calmly. “She’s your mate. You don’t necessarily need to have sex with her exactly as Ryder implied... you only need to awaken the mate bond. Claiming her, any level of intimate contact that seals the bond, will strengthen her wolf. A strengthened wolf accelerates healing. It’s the fastest and most efficient method known.”
My wolf surged at those words, claim her. He repeated it like a chant, pacing violently, ramming at the inside of my skull.
The doctor continued, “Her anesthesia will wear off soon. She’ll regain consciousness briefly. You need to decide what you intend to do before that happens.”
He gave us one more glance, then turned to leave, opening the door....
...and Lydia barged in. free𝑤ebnovel.com
Her eyes were red, wild, furious. “I heard everything,” she snapped. “You’re not actually considering doing.... that... just to save her, right?”
No one said anything.
Her face contorted in disbelief. “Are you kidding me?! This isn’t fair! You three belong to me, not her! Jade is a heartless slut who betrayed you, she doesn’t deserve your kindness, she doesn’t deserve to live...”
A sharp crack split through my chest. Not from her words. From the pounding growl of my wolf, who took every insult personally.
I swallowed the rising irritation. “Lydia,” I said, forcing calm into my voice, “maybe you should leave.”
She froze, eyes widening like I’d stabbed her. “Renzo... you’re choosing her over me?”
Ronan immediately stepped forward, wrapping an arm protectively around her shoulders. “I don’t think this is fair,” he told me, voice tense. “We shouldn’t treat Lydia this way just because of Jade.”
My patience snapped.
“Then fucking leave with her damn it!!!,” I bit out.
The room froze. Ryder stiffened beside me. Ronan recoiled like I’d slapped him. Lydia’s breath hitched and her eyes flooded instantly.
Ronan held her tighter and, without another word, led her out of the room.
The door shut behind them.
Ryder let out a deep sigh. “That was... a little harsh.”
I didn’t even spare him a glance. “Then go join them,” I said coldly.
He didn’t reply again, and there was a sudden heavy silence
My focus never once drifted from Jade.
She lay pale and motionless under the harsh hospital lights, machines beeping around her, tubes running into her arms. Blood still stained the edges of the fresh bandages across her chest where Linda’s claws had ripped her open.
She looked so small.
So breakable.
And something inside me twisted, painfully.
Ryder moved closer, studying me carefully. “You look like you really care about her.”
He said it softly, almost like he didn’t want to trigger something inside me.
I forced myself to breathe through the clawing panic of my wolf, who wouldn’t stop howling her name.
Care? That wasn’t possible. That wasn’t right. That wasn’t allowed.
I clenched my jaw. “I don’t.”
Ryder lifted an eyebrow. “Renzo....”
“I said I don’t,” I snapped, but my voice cracked on the last word.
I swallowed again, harder this time. My throat was dry. My hands were trembling.
“I just...” My gaze locked onto Jade’s unconscious face. “...I just cannot allow her to die without my permission.”
My wolf snarled at the word die.
“Death is a mercy she doesn’t deserve,” I continued, voice tightening, “and I am not willing to grant her that.”
Ryder said nothing.
Because we both knew the truth.
If Jade died...
Our bond will die too.
And my wolf would drag me into madness.
But I couldn’t admit that.
Not even to myself.
Jade’s POV
I woke to the faint beeping of machines and a sharp smell of antiseptic burning my nose.
My eyelids felt heavy, like someone glued them shut, but I forced them open.
White ceiling. Bright lights.
A hospital?
Then.... two shadows leaned over me.
My heart almost stopped.
Renzo stood on my right, arms folded, jaw tense, eyes fixed on me with an expression I couldn’t read. Ryder stood on my left, closer, his brows pulled together, his posture oddly.... protective.
What...?
What’s going on?
For a second, I honestly thought I had died.
Maybe this was the afterlife.
Or some weird near death hallucination.
Because why in the Frozen Hells would Renzo and Ryder, the last two people on earth who should care about me, be standing at my bedside like worried bodyguards?!
I blinked up at them.
Great. I guess even dying couldn’t spare me from their stupidly gorgeous faces.
“Wow,” I muttered weakly, “I’m hallucinating Renzo and Ryder at my deathbed? Seriously? Out of all the people I could imagine before I leave this world forever... it had to be you two? I mean.... sure, you have the face card and all, sexy as hell, really, but why would my brain choose....”
Renzo scoffed, the corner of his lips twitching into the tiniest smirk
Ryder shook his head. “Enough of your fantasy, Jade. You’re still alive.”
My eyes flew open. ƒree𝑤ebnσvel.com
“What?!”
Alive?
No... no, that couldn’t be right.
Everything I thought I said privately in my head
I actually said out loud.
“Oh my goddess,” I whispered, mortified. “Kill me now. Actually kill me.”
I tried to sit up which was a terrible idea, because pain exploded through my chest so violently that I gasped and nearly toppled off the bed.
But before I could fall, two warm, strong hands shot out and caught my arms.
Renzo’s grip on my right.
Ryder’s on my left.
Their touch was electric.
My heart sped up uncontrollably, pounding so hard I thought it would burst. My wolf, weak, suddenly jerked up like she recognized them.
Mate, she purred softly.
“You’re not supposed to make any sudden movements, not until you are healed” Renzo said coldly.
His voice was sharp... but his hands didn’t let go of me until he was sure I was steady.
His gaze never left my face.
“When... when will I be healed?” I asked, breathless from pain and embarrassment and, goddess help me, whatever the hell their touch did to my insides.
Renzo and Ryder exchanged a look.
A long, heavy, loaded look.
Then they both looked back down at me.
My stomach tightened. “What? What is it? What’s going on?”
Ryder exhaled slowly, running a hand through his hair. “If you want to heal fast, heal fully, you’ll need something stronger than stitches. We’ll have to... claim you.”
“Mate with you.” Renzo finished bluntly.
“Have sex with you,” Ryder added, because apparently I needed all three versions.
I stared at them.
Then stared some more.
“What?!!”
My voice jumped an entire octave. “No, absolutely not, I’m not doing that with you guys! I’m not allowing... are you insane?!”
Renzo’s expression shifted instantly. The coldness sharpened.
“Why are you protesting so hard?” he asked, voice deceptively calm. “Don’t act like you aren’t a slut who’s already slept with half the guys in school.”
The words sliced right through me and I was furious.
“Because I’ve not, Renzo.” I spat back. “I’m a fucking virgin.”
