Jade’s pov:
I felt like I was at peace, and yet something in the back of my mind kept telling me I was forgetting something of great importance.
Realizing I had basically passed out, in the middle of the chaos that followed the fall of the barrier, I woke up with a jolt.
I sat straight, eyes wide, breathing labored, and I vaguely heard someone tell me, “It’s okay, love.”
Love?
Love? I mentally repeated, a little bit too numb to function or think for a moment there.
That could only be Alex, and tears gathered in my eyes as I looked around for him, and saw him sitting on a chair next to the bed I woke up in. I was familiar with the room. And knowing I was still at the Alpha King’s palace made me feel anxious to leave already.
“Don’t cry, love,” he drawled as he drew patterns over the top of my hand, and I felt the tingles that followed, and which were as pleasurable as ever.
Heavens, I missed him!
“The baby?” I asked as I put my hand over my slightly bulging belly.
“The baby is fine,” he assured me with a small smile. “Listen carefully, love, and you might hear his heartbeat.”
I did so, and soon had tears of wonder and awe falling down my cheeks.
“The baby’s fine,” I breathed out a heavy sigh of relief.
“Indeed,” Alex smiled brightly at me.
“But why are we still here?” I soon asked, unable to believe that Alex would willingly allow me to stay in a place as dangerous as the palace.
“They’re investigating the issue,” he told me softly, his expression a little bit conflicted.
“What issue?” I bit out with more venom than I intended. “The queen wanted to harm me and my baby. Her greed and jealousy know no bounds, and I will be damned if I stay here.”
“The Alpah King declared that everything would be solved by 8 pm,” he shrugged. “We have no choice but to be patient some more, love.”
“And what time is it?” I asked at once.
“6:30 pm.”
That meant I had been passed out for nearly 3 hours. Oh heavens, what happened during the time I was unconscious?
“Where’s mom? Did something happen to her?” I then asked frantically, eyes wide in pure horror. “Please tell me she’s okay.”
Alex rose to his feet and soon sat by my side on the bed. His hands cupped my cheeks, and I would have to admit that his actions were worrying me even more.
“Calm down, love. We wouldn’t want your wolf to shut down. Your mom is fine, and she’s on her way here.”
His words, albeit meant to be soothing, had the knack to worry me some more.
“Mom is in the room next door,” I stated, still worried beyond words, and starting to get angry too, thinking that he was hiding something from me. “She would have been here already.”
“Your mom was sent to the clinic for treatment,” he said without batting an eye. Before I could even place a word, he went on, “Cole is with her so there’s no need to panic.”
I inhaled deeply and then let out in a soft manner, “You’re far too calm.”
“Someone needs to be,” he chuckled, before wiping my tears with soft caresses of his hands. “And not only am I your mate, but also the Alpha, love. I cannot afford to be hot-headed.”
“Naturally,” I let out in agreement before resting my head against his chest. And although our position was a bit awkward, Alex didn’t hesitate to hug me.
“Anna has saved the day,” he then said.
I let out a stunned “Oh,” before asking him, “How so?”
“Someone claiming to be a healer came to check up on you, almost as soon as we settled here,” he began to narrate matter-of-factly. “Anna, who had refused to leave, made a fuss at the sight of her, thus saving you. I am sad to say that even though I gave chase to her, I lost her.”
“It’s not your fault,” I drawled before looking straight into his eyes.
I was just about ready to kiss him when there was a knock on the door. Mother of interruptions!
“Come in,” he instructed.
“Please tell me you’re decent,” mom’s voice rang out before she opened the door.
The way she went as far as to tease us told me she was in a good mood, and reassured me as to her wellbeing.
“Mom, are you okay?” I asked softly.
“It’s just a scratch,” she smiled at me. “I am happy to see you’re up.”
Cole, the man who was with her, nodded curtly at me, “Hello, Luna Jade. I am glad to see you’re alright.”
“Thank you,” I smiled a little bit awkwardly at him.
He must think I was a failure of a Luna, as I passed out before the real fight even began… I could hear the whispers that would follow me around the pack house this time around. I had already gone from The Alpha’s Prized Possession to the Alpha’s Freaky Luna. Now, I wondered what kind of nicknames they would have for me.
Before I could say anything further, I heard someone rushing to the room. And soon, the little Anna appeared at the threshold of the room.
She appeared to be reluctant to step inside, no doubt because of the crowd, and maybe because she was seeing something that possibly scared her.
Paulina was soon standing next to her. She offered me a smile, which I naturally returned, before she grabbed Anna’s hand and stepped inside together with her.
“Anna’s been worried sick about you,” she declared. “Especially after the whole fake healer ordeal.”
Anna’s sweet reaction was an endearing blush.
“I heard you saved me, Anna,” I said in a soft voice as I opened my arms wide for her. “Thank you.”
The little blonde hesitated for a moment till her mother pushed her gently in my direction. After which, she all but ran the few steps that separated us and stepped into my embrace.
“I knew it was only a matter of exhaustion and that you would wake up soon,” Paulina let out softly. “But I am still really happy to see you up.”
“Thank you,” I nodded curtly at her.