The air in the hospital room turned glacial as King Jack's eyes flashed gold with barely controlled fury. I watched his wolf surface, felt the weight of his power press against my skin like a physical thing.
"Why are you talking to me like this?" His voice dropped to that dangerous octave that made lesser wolves cower. "Why are you disrespecting me by being rude?"
I held his stare, my own wolf rising to meet his challenge. The pain medication dulled my body but not my spirit.
"You and I had a past. I was unfair to you at a time. I apologized. I told you I was sorry for what I did." He moved closer, his massive frame blocking out the fluorescent lights. "But I will not let you disrespect me. I will not take it from you, Aurora, nor from anyone else."
The king's fury rolled off him in waves. Pack members in nearby rooms probably felt it, sensed their alpha's rage through the bond.
"So whatever you want, I will not interfere with your decision. Go back to that shithole and stay there. You will come to the royal hospital when you need a doctor's help. I do not care anymore."
My chest tightened, but I refused to show weakness.
"But I will not let my son come there to visit you. I will withdraw the restraining order, and you will let me know when you want to see him. If it is okay and convenient for me, I will allow him to meet you."
Each word landed like a blow, but I kept my expression neutral.
"I will not let you disrespect me again. I will not give you that chance. I know you risked your life to save me, and I will be ready to answer your call whenever you need me in the future." He turned toward the door. "I will pay your hospital bill and sign the necessary documents. But I will not be coming to check on you again."
He stormed out, his boots heavy against the tile floor. I heard voices in the hallway, heard him dismiss the royal guards he had posted outside my door. Then nothing but silence and the beeping of monitors.
I forced myself to stand, ignoring the protest of my healing ribs. The window drew me like a magnet. I pressed my palm against the cool glass and let the tears fall.
"What happened between you and King Jack?" Richard's voice came from the doorway.
I wiped my face roughly, not turning around.
Nonna crossed the room to stand beside me. Her hand found my shoulder, warm and steady. "The king looked ready to tear someone apart when he nearly walked through us in the hallway. What happened?"
"He wanted me discharged. Wanted me to come to the palace and stay there with him and Cody while I recovered." The words tasted bitter. "I refused. He said I raised my voice at him. So I raised it well enough and asked him to choke me to death if he could. After all, it would not be the first time he nearly strangled me in fury."
Richard muttered a curse under his breath. "He withdrew his guards. That means he truly is done checking on you."
"He already told me that." I turned to face them both. "I want to be out of here."
Richard studied me with those knowing eyes. "You cannot be alone right now, Aurora. You need people who care about you."
For the next hour, they wore me down with logic and concern. Nonna painted pictures of time with Cody, of avoiding the arranged marriage my family kept pushing. Richard spoke of safety, of healing properly.
By the time they left, I had agreed to go to the palace.
I barely slept that night, my wolf restless and agitated. When John arrived before dawn to collect me, I was already dressed in clothes Nonna had brought the day before.
The drive through the kingdom passed in a blur of predawn darkness and streetlights. John kept glancing at me in the rearview mirror, his expression unreadable.
"He drank too much last night," John finally said as we approached the palace gates. "You got under his skin."
I said nothing, watching the massive iron gates swing open at our approach.
The palace rose before us like something out of a dream. Even having grown up in the kingdom, even knowing Jack was alpha king, the sight of his home stole my breath. Modern architecture blended seamlessly with old world grandeur. The building sprawled across manicured grounds, all clean lines and floor to ceiling windows that caught the rising sun.
John parked in a garage that could house twenty vehicles. He came around to help me out, his hand gentle on my elbow as I stepped onto polished concrete.
"Easy," he murmured when I swayed slightly.
The morning air was cool and damp with dew. We walked a stone path lined with night blooming jasmine, its scent heavy and sweet. Security lights illuminated our way, motion activated and silent.
The front door opened before we reached it. John guided me inside with a hand at my back, steadying me when my steps faltered.
The entry hall took my breath away. Marble floors reflected recessed lighting like still water. Modern furniture in shades of cream and gray filled the space, expensive without being ostentatious. A chandelier hung from the vaulted ceiling, crystal and brushed steel catching the light.
Everything spoke of power and wealth, of a king who ruled the strongest pack in the kingdom.
"Good morning, brother." John's voice echoed slightly in the vast space.
I turned my head, following his gaze toward the grand staircase.
King Jack stood at the top, looking down at us with unreadable dark eyes.