Too Late Alpha The Mate He Never Wanted (Iris and Eric) novel Chapter 24

Chapter 24

Iris’s POV

I didn’t turn around. I didn’t want him to see my face like this. It was messy and red with tears. I tried to wipe my cheeks, but my hands were shaking too hard.

I hadn’t been very careful, so I didn’t even hear him coming.

He stayed silent for a minute or two, but I could feel him behind me, standing a few steps away.

“Are you hurt?” he asked softly.

I didn’t answer because I didn’t trust my voice. I wasn’t sure if I could speak without breaking down.

“You shouldn’t be out of bed,” he said, gentler now. “You’re bleeding.”

I looked down and saw bright red spots soaking through the side of the blanket I had wrapped around me.

I bit my lip, still not looking at him. My knees were aching, and my ribs felt like they were on fire.

“I needed to find my bag,” I finally whispered hoarsely. “I thought it was gone.”

He stepped closer, and I finally turned my head slightly, enough to glance at him from the corner of my eye. His expression was unreadable and calm.

“You should be in bed,” he said after a pause.

I clenched my jaw and looked away again. “I didn’t ask for your help.”

“I know.”

A flash of guilt tugged at my chest. He had saved me. He didn’t owe me anything, yet here he was, like he actually cared. He didn’t deserve my hostility, even though I hated the fact that I felt like I owed him now.

An uncomfortable silence filled the room.

“I just… I couldn’t lose this too,” I muttered, still holding the bag tightly to my chest.

The room fell quiet again.

After a few seconds, I heard his footsteps as he walked toward me. He crouched beside me, but didn’t try to touch me. He could’ve just grabbed me, tried to force me back to the room. But he didn’t. He was giving me space, and I appreciated it more than he knew.

“I’ll help you back to your room,” he said, voice calm but firm. “You’re not walking on that leg again, not today.”

I opened my mouth to argue, but the truth was that I couldn’t move. My body was trembling. My ribs were on fire. The world around me felt like it was tilting.

Black spots danced in my vision, and I blinked rapidly, trying to stay alert. My grip on the bag loosened slightly.

Rowan moved closer. “Alright, I’m lifting you now,” he said.

Before I could protest, he slipped an arm under my knees and another behind my back to lift me. I sucked in a breath as hot sharp pain pierced through me. I gasped, and my hand flew to my side.

Blood rushed to my head, and my vision spun.

“No–wait-” I whispered, but the words came out weak and slow.

The floor dropped from under me, and my body gave out.

1/2

Chapter 24

+25 Bonus

My head fell forward against his chest as I struggled to keep my eyes open. His skin was warm against my cheek, and I realized just how cold I was. The blanket I had wrapped around myself was damp with blood, and I couldn’t feel my fingers anymore. I struggled to breathe. I wanted to ask him to stop, to put me down, but my lips refused to move.

Even through the fogginess, there was one ridiculous detail that registered in my mind. He was only wearing a towel.

My body went limp in his arms. The last thing I heard was his voice. It was low and tense as he called my name, then everything went dark.

“Iris–hey, Iris-”

And then nothing.