Surrogate for the Alpha Prince in a Coma novel Chapter 142

Chapter 142

Lillian’s POV

I was willing to wait out this conversation, but Teacher was impatient. He opened the door before I could stop him and stepped into the room.

Odette was in a hospital bed. Her eyes widened in surprise, seeing Teacher.

Grayson was sitting in a chair beside her bed. He stood.

Reginald was leaning on the wall on the other side of the room. He looked up.

“You must remember something,” Teacher said.

“Who are you?” Reginald asked.

“I don’t!” Odette insisted.

“Now isn’t the time,” Grayson said, face scrunched in annoyance. Though, when he spotted me behind Teacher, he softened.

“Grayson,” Odette said. “I don’t know what to tell you or your friends. Oh, I have such a headache.” She rubbed at her forehead, her face scrunched in misery.

Reginald rounded the bed. “You should leave now. Odette needs time to recover.”

Teacher, looking at Reginald, tensed slightly.

“Out in the hallway,” Grayson said. “I would speak with you two privately.”

Reginald glared. Odette covered her face with her hands.

Teacher didn’t move, still staring at Reginald.

“Teacher,” I said, and the sound of my voice finally roused him from whatever trance he was in.

Turning, Teacher and I stepped out into the hallway, with Grayson behind us. The moment the three of us had cleared the door, Reginald stepped forward and closed the door behind us.

“I am trying to handle things,” Grayson said. “This is a delicate task.”

Teacher, seemingly still in a daze, turned and walked off without another word to either of us.

Grayson and I watched him for a moment before Grayson looked at me. “Is he always like that?”

“No,” I said. Something was wrong, but I didn’t know what. Or… “It has been a long time since I’ve spent time with him. He was always somewhat reflective at times. Maybe that has gotten more intense.” I paused. “Do you think he knows Prince Reginald?”

“What makes you say that?” Grayson asked.

Hadn’t he noticed? “The way Teacher reacted when he saw him.”

Grayson frowned, his brow furrowing. He was quiet for a long moment, so long, I didn’t think he’d say anything if I didn’t prompt him.

“Do you think she actually doesn’t remember anything?” I asked.

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Chapter 142

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“I do,” he replied. “She wouldn’t lie to me.”

The word struck me, a jealousy sparking. Immediately, I condemned the feeling, pushing it deep down inside of me. If the interrogation I had just overheard was anything to go by, I didn’t have any reason to be jealous. Grayson clearly just wanted to know the truth of the attack.

But… he had still been gone all night. Even now, he was physically distant, lost in his own thoughts.

Goddess, Lily. When did you get to be so needy?

For so long, I hadn’t wanted any physical affection, saving myself. And now, with Grayson, at the forefront of my thoughts was holding him and being held. I disliked that part of myself. It had to be the mating bond’s interference. I crossed my arms and ignored my impulse to reach out for him.

He was quiet again.

“Do you…” I swallowed. “Do you think you will return to the room tonight?”

There were bags under his eyes, he clearly hadn’t slept. That could have been adding to his quiet. He blinked and looked at me, like he was really seeing me for the first time today. Without a word, he stepped forward into my space. His arms went around me and he pulled me into his arms.

I closed my eyes, resting my head on his shoulder. He nuzzled gently at my hair.

At once, I felt the distance between us, straining the bond, restore itself. I was whole again, just from this brief and simple touch.

“I have to stay a little while longer,” he said. “If I can uncover any answers…

“Our bed is empty and cold,” I said, hoping I didn’t sound too whiny. I just wanted him to know his absence was felt, he was missed.

Leaning back, he brushed his lips against my hairline. “It will not be tonight. I promise.”

The remnants of the hurt feeling in my heart at last slipped away. The jealousy lingered, deep inside of me, so deep I couldn’t reach it to destroy it. But until I could speak to Grayson and learn the full truth of what was going on with Odette and him, including in their past, I didn’t know if that knot would ever untie.

Too soon, Grayson pulled away. “I should return to her. When she remembers, I want to be there to hear it.”

I nodded, even though I wasn’t happy about it. I had my own matters to attend to today. Later, Teacher and I would be giving our first training session. I wanted to prepare. With how Teacher had wanted off, I hoped he would still be up for it.

I had better try to track him down to find out.

Grayson leaned in and kissed me softly on the lips. Then, looking at me with regret, he returned to Odette’s room.

I went to the training grounds, but it was a time before Teacher appeared again. He was stoic as ever, and went straight to the blunt weapons to arrange them for their use today.

As soon as I saw him, I approached him.

“Teacher,” I said. Remembering he liked to cut straight to the heart of things without dancing around, I asked, Did you know Prince Reginald of the Lycan Kingdom?”

“Why would you ask that?” he said, voice monotone, not looking at me.

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“You tensed,” I said. “I saw it.”

He glanced at me, and for a moment, I thought he might tell me the truth.

But then the group we were to be training arrived and he hardened.

“Stay focused,” he told me, and gestured to the group.

I had no choice but to drop the issue for now. I went to the group, waving as I greeted them. Clara was among them and waved back. This group was a mix of noble lords and ladies, though most of the lords were either older or younger, not in peak physical condition by far. From what I could tell, this group mainly just wanted the outdoor exercise.

“Welcome,” I told them, then split them into groups. Teacher would lead them in some basic sword handling. I would help with the archery. A third station was just for fun with a ball to kick around in the field this time.

With the groups split, everyone went to their stations, and everything was going well. The groups were learning, but also enjoying themselves.

I was helping Clara with her archery, she was becoming quite good, when someone came up behind me.

“I can’t believe you are keeping this up,” Ophelia said. “Training isn’t for everyone. You are making a mockery at what I do by continuing this farce of a display.”

I turned to face her, even as Clara wilted. Ophelia looked down at me, the corner of her lip upturned. Was it possible for her to be even more smug? She certainly looked like it.

“Ophelia. I didn’t expect you to want to join in our training,” I said.

I thought that would be enough to unbalance her, but instead that smug smirk only grew wider. “You know what? Yeah. Show me what you can actually do. No ballroom tricks. Because if anyone should have been the Instructor’s

assistant, it should have been me.”

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