I woke to the sterile scent of the healing ward and the soft morning light filtering through the curtains. My body ached, but the fog in my mind had finally cleared. The last thing I remembered was the crushing weight of Alpha King Jack's rejection before everything went dark.
"You are awake." John stood at the doorway, his arms crossed over his chest. He wore his usual casual attire, so different from his brother's formal royal garb. "How are you feeling?"
"Like I got hit by a rogue pack," I said, my voice hoarse. I pushed myself up against the pillows, wincing at the soreness in my muscles.
John walked closer and pulled a chair beside my bed. His expression was serious, which was unusual for him. He always carried that easygoing charm that made everyone feel comfortable around him.
"The healers say you can go home today," he said. "Richard wanted to pay for everything, but I already settled it."
"You didn't have to do that."
"Yes, I did." His tone left no room for argument. "Aurora, I need you to listen carefully. Something is happening in the kingdom, and Cody might be in danger."
My heart jumped at the mention of my son. "What do you mean? What kind of danger?"
John leaned forward, his elbows resting on his knees. "Someone sent threatening messages to Jack. Anonymous texts and emails. They mentioned Cody specifically. The same thing happened years ago, right before Clara died in that accident."
The late queen. The woman whose shadow still haunted every corner of the palace. I had heard the stories, whispered among the staff. Alpha King Jack had loved her deeply, and her death had changed him forever.
"Does Jack think it is the same person?" I asked.
"He does not know. But he is not taking any chances. He pulled Cody out of the academy and brought him back to the palace. The royal guards have doubled, and Eduardo is tracking the source of the messages." John ran a hand through his dark hair, a gesture so similar to his brother's. "Jack is worried, even if he will not admit it."
"Can I see Cody?" The question escaped before I could stop it.
John smiled, but it did not reach his eyes. "I will arrange video calls. You know how Jack is about letting you near him. But I am working on it, Aurora. I promise."
"Thank you." I meant it. John had been the only one in the royal family who treated me like a person instead of a mistake.
He stood and walked to the window, his posture tense. "There is something else you should know. I went to Jack's office yesterday and demanded he refund the money I spent on your treatment."
I blinked. "What?"
"Twenty thousand silver coins," he said, turning back to face me with a mischievous grin. "I told him I wanted every coin back."
"John, that is ridiculous. Why would you—"
"Because I wanted to see his reaction. And you know what he did? He transferred a hundred thousand silver coins to my account without blinking." John's grin widened. "My brother might be stubborn, but he is not heartless."
I looked away, not wanting to hope. Jack had made his feelings clear. I was nothing to him but a reminder of his guilt and his betrayal of Clara's memory.
"That does not mean anything," I said quietly.
"Maybe. Maybe not." John walked back to my bedside. "But then I told him something else. I said if he did not pursue you, I would. I told him I would court you and make you my mate if you would have me."
My eyes snapped to his face. "You did what?"
"I needed to test him, Aurora. And let me tell you, I have never seen my brother look so furious. His eyes turned completely black. He told me he would break my arm if I showed any interest in his woman." John's expression softened. "You are not nothing to him. He just does not know how to deal with what he feels."
His woman. The words echoed in my mind, but I pushed them away. I could not afford to believe them. Not after everything that had happened.
"I should go home," I said, changing the subject. "Richard and Nonna will worry if I stay here any longer."
"I will take you," John offered.
"No, I can manage—"
"Aurora." He gave me a pointed look. "Let me help you. Besides, I need to make sure you are settled before I head back to the palace. Jack might act like he does not care, but he has been asking about you every few hours since you woke up."
That information made my chest tighten, but I nodded. John helped me gather my things, and within an hour, I was discharged from the healing ward.
The drive to my small apartment on the outskirts of the capital was quiet. John did not push me to talk, which I appreciated. When we arrived, he walked me to my door and waited until I was safely inside.
"I will call you later," he said. "And I will set up that video call with Cody."
"Thank you, John. For everything."
He squeezed my shoulder gently before leaving. I closed the door and leaned against it, finally allowing myself to breathe.
My phone buzzed on the kitchen counter where I had left it days ago. I picked it up and saw several missed calls from Richard and a text from an unknown number.
Stay away from the palace. You and the boy are in danger.
My blood ran cold. I stared at the message, my hands trembling. Someone knew about Cody. Someone knew about me. And whoever they were, they wanted us afraid.
I needed to tell John. I needed to tell someone. But before I could dial his number, another message came through.
Tell the Alpha King his secrets are not as hidden as he thinks. The past always catches up. Tick tock.