46
Elias‘ dark car pulled up in front of Shadowpine Hospital, capturing the attention of a few passersby. I paused for a second, grasping the door handle while my mind raced. Anxiety had taken up residence in my chest, and I was trying everything possible to drive it away. I looked at Elias, who had sharp eyes fixed forward, as if he were examining every possible threat.
“You really don’t need to stay.” I told him, trying to sound more stern than I felt. “I’ll be fine here. The hospital has security. And honestly, the last thing I want is more gossip about everything.”
The chaos Jester had caused last night was bad enough. I could only imagine the rumors swirling not just through Shadowpine, but in the whole Capital.
Elias turned to me. “I insist on watching over you. I’m not letting your psycho ex make things harder for you. Plus, like I said last night, I have something to discuss with you.”
Before I could ask what he meant, his eyes glazed over, a distinctive sign of a mind–link. His jaw tensed, and his posture stiffened as if he were bracing himself for bad news.
“Are you sure?” he questioned the other person on the other end of the link. His expression was a mix of astonishment and fear, and his gaze was temporarily distant.
I hesitated, unsure of what to do. Placing a hand on his arm, I whispered, “I’ll be heading inside.” The moment my fingers touched his skin, a spark of electricity shot through me. I recoiled slightly, my heart skipping a beat. El gaze snapped to me, and I saw the blink of something unspoken in his eyes. He had felt it too
Embarrassed, I quickly stepped out of the car, avoiding his eyes. My wolf, always eager to stir trouble, chimed in,
What was that?
“I don’t know,” I muttered under my breath, shaking my head. And I don’t want to know. But my wolf’s amused hum suggested she had her own ideas, none of which I was ready to entertain.
Inside the hospital, I braced myself for the inevitable whispers and stares. Jester’s dramatic pursuit of me last night had undoubtedly made waves, and the hospital staff loved nothing more than a juicy scandal. But as !
8:30 AM
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approached the nurse’s station, I was met with nothing. No furtive glances, no hushed conversations, no knowing smirks. Everyone was busy with their work, as if nothing unusual had happened.
Weird, I thought, my brows furrowing. My wolf agreed, saying. Maybe they’re just hiding it well?
“Or maybe Jester didn’t cause as much of a scene as I thought,” I muttered, though I didn’t entirely believe it. Still,
I had no intention of asking anyone about him. The less I thought about Jester, the better.
I threw myself into my work, preparing syrups and pills for the latest batch of medicinal supplies. The familiar routine helped calm my nerves, and for a while, I managed to push the events of the night before to the back of my mind
When I finally took a break and headed to the canteen, my stomach growled in protest. I grabbed a tray and was scanning the room for an empty table when I spotted Elias.
He stood near the entrance, his sharp eyes scanning the room. People parted for him instinctively, bowing their heads in respect as he passed. Not casual nods, but deep, reverent bows. My wolf perked up immediately, her curiosity piqued.
Here’s our knight in shining armor, she teased.
I rolled my eyes, willing the heat rising in my cheeks to subside. “Behave,” I muttered under my breath.
Finally, Elias’s gaze found mine. His lips quirked into a small smile, and he strode over to where I had just sat down. I couldn’t ignore the whispers that followed him, nor the stares that seemed to burn into my back. I shifted uncomfortably in my seat.
“Here you are,” he said as he sat across from me. He leaned back casually, but his eyes were sharp, scanning the room for any potential threats. “Looks like your ex–psychopath is nowhere to be found. That’s a good sign.”
I let out a short laugh, though my nerves made it sound strained. “Let’s hope it stays that way.”
Elias’s gaze softened slightly as he studied me. Before I could stop myself, the question tumbled out. “May I know who you really are? Why does everyone bow to you like that?”
His expression shifted. But before he could speak, a muscular man approached our table. His presence was authoritarian, and like everyone else, he bowed deeply to Elias.
“I’m here now, my king,” the man said.
My heart stopped. My king?
