Chapter 33: Chapter 32

“Have you heard?”

“The Prince? Can’t believe it.”

Same shit different day with the twittering gossip.

Jaxson rolled his eyes as he made his way to see his aunt and uncle, he had made a habit over the last few years to spend lunch with them once a week. He felt he needed to make up for it after being away.

“Julie overheard her talking to the Queen.”

“I heard it was Amber.”

“Oh, whatever.”

“What happened?” another voice came into the conversation.

Jaxson slyly stopped, pretending to look in the butchers, something about it seemed a little… off to the normal rumour.

“No way you haven’t heard! Anyway, do you remember Laura?”

“Err… No.”

“Oh, she got kicked out of Packland, she put the Queen in danger, remember?”

“Oh! Her.”

“Yeah, anyway, she came crying to the Queen saying her mate had been stolen!” Her voice lowered, but Jaxson could still hear, “That guard took him away from her.”

“Why would they announce if…”

“I think the Prince just wants to be different. He wants to stand out. Laura’s demanding that she be allowed to be with her true mate, the Prince.”

“Honestly, I think it makes more sense than two males!”

“I dunno, Mags, you remember what Laura was like.”

“Yeah, but she’s completely different now. Goes by Lauren and she seems way different.”

Jaxson had heard enough.

This was the last thing they needed. The King had made the announcement that morning and everyone knew it was about Chris…. And him. Getting off scot-free for attempted murder definitely solidified that idea. Their standing was already rocky with the citizens, for someone to pop up claiming Chris to be their true mate?

When had Chris even met Laura?

He began walking again, linking as he went, “There’s lots of rumours about Laura being Chris’ mate. Have you heard anything?”

“Chris is about to be called upon. Talk moves quick. Get back here.” Jaxson nodded to himself at Jesse’s command. He turned only for bodies to move up in front of him, blocking his way.

“Knew you were lying. What did you do? Just go with it to get some attention?”

Jaxson gritted his teeth at the five males. “Fuck off, Craig, I floored you once.”

“Yeah, but there’s five of us now. What did you want? Royal treatment?” A dark-haired, Terry asked.

“I gotta go. Move.” He tried to swipe his way through only to be pushed backwards. He stumbled, catching himself on the pavement.

“Who’s idea was it?”

“The Goddess.”

“Not what Laura’s saying.” The five grinned at each other.

“Do you remember Laura? Would fuck anything that moved? You seriously think she’s reliable?”

“Stop making excuses for your lies. You actually thought making a Prince your mate would work?”

“Get out my way!” he snarled, glancing left and right for a way past. They’d circled him, turning tail would mean his back exposed, and he could feel the aggressive energy; they were going to strike.

He would not strike first.

“I think it’s you insulting the crown. Coercing the young prince. What happens when you insult the crown, Jax?”

“I’m not wanting trouble, Craig. Go to training. Work the anger off there.”

“Think putting you in the infirmary sounds more fun. No one would want you to get up.”

Jaxson shuffled his feet apart but before he got a sure footing, a leg out of nowhere swiped him. He landed heavily on his hip as another foot came to kick him. He rolled, adrenaline slowing everything around him. He blocked a punch. Ducked a kick. Pain exploded over his ribs.

His world became punches and kicks. They were coming from everywhere. He blocked a kick with his elbow, shattering the thigh. His head exploded in blinding agony and he found himself half-blinded by blood. He didn’t have time to swipe his vision clear as a fist came up in the corner of his eye. He ducked only for an arm to go around his neck, squeezing tightly.

He elbowed backwards, hearing a grunt but the grip didn’t release. Fire exploded in his groin with a kick. His eyes watered but he shifted in the grip, slamming his head backwards. Bone crunched behind him and he was released. He extended his claws and slashed the broken nosed Terry’s face, leaving deep gashes.

He wanted to pitch forward, catch his breath but he couldn’t as another fist swung, he dodged, narrowly missing it. “Hold him!” someone shouted. His mind was foggy but he grabbed one of the males about to hold his arms. Ignoring those around him, he swiped Devin’s legs from under him and smashed his face on the floor.

A kick caught his jaw, sprawling him onto his back.

Before he could roll to his feet a body was over him. “How’s it feel to be on the receiving end?” Craig snarled, landing a barrage of blows over Jaxson’s face. He tried to pull his arms to defend himself only to find he was being held to the ground.

“WHAT IS GOING ON!” a roar ceased the smashing of fists on his face. His arms were released from the stone flags.

His breathing hurt. He rolled, coughing the blood from his mouth. His whole face felt it had had a log rammed into it again and again. He couldn’t even explain what hurt. He hurt. All of him.

What was going on around him became muffled and fogged. He wasn’t even sure who had broken up the fight. He finally wiped the blood that had been half blinding him. The cut already sealed.

Bodies were leaning over him again. Fuck. he brought his arm up, trying to shield another blow. “It’s alright, it’s James, the doctor. Gonna have to hold you down. Don’t have time to get you to the infirmary.”

He barely registered what was said. He tried to fight the arms now pinning his hands back to the ground. “Gotta cut you open. I think a rib has punctured your lung. Gotta get it out before you start to heal.”

Too many people were holding him down. He struggled against the heavy bodies. A pinch in his arm made him grumble, but soon he was floating. He knew others were around. He could feel he was still on the floor but his mind went into a fluffy cloud. He registered a burning on his side but it was more being too close to a fire burn.

Alright… now he’d stepped way too close. He groaned, a weird pressure over his ribs. An unpleasant crunch reached his muffled ears.

“Nearly done,” a voice faraway announced. He felt pinching, he really didn’t know what was going on.

“JAXSON!”

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