Chapter 17

Alaric’s POV

Meadow had blood running from her nostril and forehead, and even when I glanced at her hair, I could see something dark tinting the already dark length.

The smell of her blood was going to haunt me for a long fucking time.

She was limp in my arms, her cheeks pressed against my chest, her breaths too fucking shallow. I held her like she was made of porcelain, because if I didn’t—I’d snap the other way.

And kill someone. 

What the hell did they do to my baby girl?

I’d returned from work not too long ago, expecting to see Meadow waiting in the guest suite for my return, but instead, I met an empty home—save for Mel.

She said that she wasn’t able to stop Meadow as she’d just slipped past her, but that she seemed agitated about something.

The moment she said that, I instantly knew that Meadow was here. 

West’s eyes widened slightly as he watched me approach the car with my baby girl in my arms,