Chapter 35: Chapter 34

Someone cleared their throat behind him. Chris turned his big raven head to see a female, he didn’t care, he turned back around, nuzzling his chin back into Jaxson’s warm fur. He hadn’t woken up yet.

“Is that how you greet your mate? I can’t believe you’re guarding him. You know he’s lied to you.”

Chris narrowed his golden eyes. He looked back around looking at her properly. Lauren. He huffed at her, unable to link without her in wolf form. He slid off the bed, scooping his clothes up in his mouth he went to the other side, hiding himself a little from view. Not that furless forms were exactly something to hide. They changed so often there was no embarrassment. But he didn’t really want Lauren to watch him. There was something about being a royal meaning you needed to be more decent. He shoved his dress trousers on, then the shirt, but left it open as he stepped around the bed with Jaxson sleeping deeply. “What are you talking about, Lauren?”

“You left,” she sniffed.

“Yes. I saw no reason to continue my tour. What are you doing in the guard infirmary?”

“I heard you were here. I needed to see you. I’ve missed you.”

“How did you get in here?”

“Just walked in.” She shrugged.

“This isn’t a good time.”

She frowned, clearly disappointed and crestfallen. “What do you mean? I thought you’d be happy to see me.”

“It’s nice to see you again,” he stated regally. “I am dealing with an unfortunate situation. I would kindly ask you to leave me to that.”

“I can’t believe he’s corrupted you. You know I’m your mate. Please see it.”

“We were thinking of a forced mating. I was forbidden to do that. I’m sorry if I disappointed you.”

“But… we said. You’re just confused.” She took a step towards him.

A growl stopped her in her tracks.

“Laura, you were banished from Royal Packland. What are you doing?” Marc rumbled from the doorway.

“Here to get my mate,” she sniffed.

“I heard your complaint to the crown. We are dealing with it. You were told to stay in the suite we provided for you. Were you not?”

“I just wanted to see him. I missed him.”

“You are still under banishment. Be grateful I am allowing you to stay in my land!” Marc boomed. “You have defied a direct order!”

“I’m sorry! Please, I want to come back to Royal Packland. I’ve paid for my transgression, please my King. I learnt my lesson.”

“This isn’t helping Jaxson,” Chris muttered. Worried to speak up.

“Who cares about the stupid guard?” Laura snapped. “It’s only fair I get to stay where my mate resides.”

A growl ripped from Chris’ chest.

“As my Queen explained. We must explore your accusation. We have heard what you have to say.”

“Well, he’s right here!” She gestured to Chris.

“I’m not your mate. We were discussing a forced mateship.”

“No. We were discussing our mateship. Our true mateship,” she countered fiercely, yet politely.

“How would a discussion of that nature come about?” Marc asked stoically.

“We met at a party and we just knew. So we met the next morning,” Laura replied sweetly.

“I don’t even remember meeting you,” Chris breathed.

“It was a good night. But you knew as soon as you saw me in the morning.”

“This is ridiculous. Marc you can’t-”

Marc held up his hand to silence Chris. “We will discuss this later. Laura, get back to the suite. A guard will accompany you and you will not leave again.”

“Can I have visitors?” she winked at Chris which made his stomach roll.

’Snake,’ his wolf quipped. He could see it now. He wasn’t sure if she was delusional or… just lying.

“If you mean me. I won’t be visiting,” he ground out harshly. His patience was wearing out. He wanted the room quiet again for Jaxson. He needed to heal, to heal he needed to sleep, to sleep peacefully, he needed quiet.

“Why not?” she asked indignantly.

“My mate is laid in that bed. If I’m anywhere, I’m here.”

Laura sniffed. “My King, I hate to say, I think a great crime has been committed against Our Prince. It’s such a sad state,” she stated with so much conviction Chris would have believed her if she were talking about someone other than himself.

“I gave you an order, Laura. Go. Now.”

“Very well, My King.” She bowed before turning to Chris. “You’ll see the truth soon. I’m sorry you can’t see it now.”

Chris wanted to explode. Her confidence was unnerving. As soon as the door shut behind her he turned to Marc. “You know she’s lying, right?”

“Unfortunately, it isn’t entirely about my opinion. Of course, she’s lying. You can’t hide a wolf’s reaction to their mate. You had no reaction. You can fake it. She’s a very good faker.”

“Of course it’s about your opinion.”

“Jaxson lying in that bed kinda sets a contrary to that, hmm?”

“That… that was ’cause…?”

“Sorry, titch.”

Chris looked back to Jaxson’s wolf still sprawled over the, now quite furry, white sheets.

Marc laid his hand heavily on Chris’ shoulder. “We need to do damage control. But I have to appear to do this fairly. I can’t take sides, I can’t look like I’m favouring you. You know that.”

Chris deflated, nodding.

“You should have come to me as soon as you knew who your mate was. Regardless of your fears.”

“I just thought if I ignored it it would go away. I know… I know I was wrong but…”

“I understand. I do. When this is more smoothed over, I think we need a training session together.”

“Sounds good,” Chris mumbled.

Movement behind him snapped his head to the bed, Jaxson was trying to stand on his four legs before flopping back into the mattress.

“Jax!” Chris took the four long paces to the bedside, setting a heavy hand on his back. “Lay down.”

He let out little barking howls then stopped, a confused expression over his deep brown eyes.

“You’re in fur form. Don’t change. Not yet. Just relax.” he had no idea if Jaxson needed to stay in fur form, he just wasn’t sure. It seemed like the best thing to tell him. He ran his hand up and down his back soothingly.

“What happened?” his voice, even in his mind, was tired.

“I think you got beaten up. You’re in the guard infirmary, they forced a change so you could heal.”

He let out a huff through his nose of acceptance.

“Sorry.” Jaxson’s eyes shut slowly.

“You don’t need to apologise, sleep, I’ll stay here.”

“Here, yeah.”

Chris smiled, reaching to scratch his ear before running his fingers through the fur of his scruff. “Sleep,” he cajoled.

“I’ll leave you to it, titch.”

Chris had forgotten Marc was still in the room. “Ah yeah. See you later?”

“Course.” Before he knew it, he was alone again in the room. Not that he was complaining. He was quite happy to caress Jaxson’s soft fur while he slept and healed.