Page 41 of Daddy Frost

He backhanded the stranger and heard a satisfying crunch, then he opened the wallet and dug out his driver’s license. “Arthur Bexley.”

The kitchen erupted in chaos as everyone rushed in. Kalen’s expression darkened when he glared at the guy Arion had pinned down. Then his gaze swung to Delta lying on the floor. The big guy lowered to his knees next to his mate, his blue eyes filled with panic.

“It’s okay, muffin. I’m gonna get you to the hospital.” He swallowed hard, and his hands shook as he gently picked up one of Delta’s. “Just hang in there, okay? Please hang in there.”

Kalen Frost was not one to easily show fear. Arion was used to his calm and authoritative demeanor, even in times of crisis. But seeing him tremble and on the verge of tears made Arion want to kill Arthur.

“Second m-man o-outside.” Tears welled up in Delta’s green-gray eyes. Arion watched as the human weakly clutched Kalen’s arm, leaving a bloody handprint behind when he lost his grip.

“Go find that second man!” Kalen’s voice thundered as he yelled over his shoulder.

Jaytee and Jax wasted no time bolting out the back door. Arion prayed they found the other guy because both men needed to pay for what they’d done.

“Call a fucking ambulance!” Kalen shouted urgently.

“Will you allow Raidh, Elvine, and me to help?” Casimir touched his father-in-law’s shoulder.

“Damon’s m-mate.” Delta coughed out the words, blood smearing the corner of his mouth. He managed a smile, revealing blood-coated teeth. “N-Nice to m-meet you.”

Arion knew death when he saw it. Delta would die soon without help.

The panic in Kalen’s eyes deepened at the sight of blood, clearly coming to the same conclusion as Arion. Delta was growing paler by the second, and his shaking was getting worse.

Arion was well aware that Kalen had lost his wife 150 years ago, and this had to feel like he was reliving that nightmare all over again, only this time with his mate.

He couldn’t even begin to imagine the pain and anguish Kalen had to be going through right now.

“Are you planning on using dark magic to save my mate?” Kalen’s deep voice quivered, his hands clutching Delta’s.

“Yes,” Casimir answered truthfully. “Let us try to heal the damage and save your mate’s life, Kalen.”

Arion looked around at the solemn expressions of the others in the room. He locked eyes with Elvine and saw his mate sobbing silently with her hands covering her mouth. Wearing a shocked expression, Raidh stood nearby, tears streaming down his face.

Damon’s cheeks were wet, his nostrils flared, and his jaw was clenched tight. His hardened gaze kept flicking between his dad and Delta.

With a deep sniff, Kalen nodded but kept his gaze on his mate. “They’re going to help you, muffin, but I’m not leaving your side. I’ll be right here with you, honey.” He gently ran his knuckles against Delta’s pale cheek.

“If we don’t act fast, it’ll be too late,” Raidh pleaded desperately. “Please, Kalen. We need to do this now.”

Kalen moved aside, and the three fae surrounded Delta, chanting as they held their hands right above the human. Arion’s mouth dropped open slightly as he watched a dark mist start to swirl around their hands, coalescing into an intricate, translucent web that seemed to connect them all together, enveloping Delta’s entire body in its eerie glow.

Kalen glared murderously at the intruder Arion still had trapped under him, but even Arthur was transfixed on what the fae were doing.

“Keep him restrained, son,” Arion’s father-in-law said. “I’ll deal with him in a moment.”

Swallowing hard, Arion nodded. Kalen had called him “son.” Did that mean he didn’t blame him for what happened?

When Kalen turned back around to watch them attempt to save his mate, Arion gripped Arthur’s throat and leaned down to snarl in his ear. “If he dies, you better pray for a swift death.”

Arthur blinked several times. “What are you?”

Ignoring the question, Arion glanced over his shoulder and watched as Jaytee and Jax returned with a man fighting against Jax’s hold.

* * * *

Kalen could not possibly be going through this again. Seeing Delta lying on the kitchen floor, his shirt soaked in blood, caused painful memories to come flooding back.

His wife had told him she needed to go for a run, to let her wolf free. After giving her a kiss, Kalen had returned to his drawings.

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