Surrogate for the Alpha Prince in a Coma novel Chapter 40

Chapter 40

‘Grayson’s POV

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After Lillian left for her doctor’s appointment, I paced the length of the bedroom. Prime Beta arrived to deliver the morning reports, but my thoughts remained on the arguments I had with Lillian the day before.

She had denied that she would kill to save her brother, and maybe that was true. But that didn’t mean she wasn’t compromised in other ways. She carried for the child, and would want to protect him. That he was in Calvin’s clutches put him at risk, and therefore made Lillian a liability.

“We have to rescue Lillian’s brother,” I said suddenly, interrupting whatever Prime Beta had been saying.

He blinked. “Lillian’s brother…?”

“Ronan,” I said. “He’s being mistreated by Calvin and Lillian’s father. I want you to go and see to his rescue. As soon as possible.”

“An action like that could alert Calvin,” Prime Beta said. “We know that he is attempting to kill you. Do we want to play this hand so soon?”

“As long as Ronan is in Calvin’s hands, Lillian cannot be fully trusted,” I said. “Her love for Ronan makes her a liability. An unstable factor that I cannot properly predict.”

I hated uncertainty. Too many unknowns meant too many possibilities, which were difficult to plan for. If I wanted Lillian to properly fall in line, then I needed to make this simpler. That meant saving her brother.

“Get him from wherever he is and bring him here,” I said. “I want this done at once, Beta. Now.”

“I’ll see to it. I will send our best and most loyal soldiers,” Prime Beta said, and after leaving his reports on the desk, walked out.

I skimmed through them, not really reading them. My mind was already occupied, determining outcomes, making plans. How would I explain the presence of the boy? If I placed the blame of Lillian, the King and Queen would think she stepped out of line. But I could not reveal responsibility, else I’d blow my cover.

I stayed lost in these thoughts until I sensed someone approaching me. Stretching out my Alpha senses… Yes. Uncle Benedict was headed this way.

Hiding the files, I quickly moved to the bed where I arranged myself in my usual faux-comatose position. Closing my eyes, I wondered what on earth Benedict could want. He’d already greeted me last night. Typically, on his visits, he didn’t visit more than once, and he never stayed very long.

The door opened, and Benedict entered. Grabbing a chair, he moved it to my bedside and sat down. I couldn’t see him with my eyes closed, but I didn’t need to see him to sense his hesitation.

“Hello again, nephew,” Benedict said, after a moment’s pause. “You’re probably wondering what I’m doing back here. Well, if you are wondering anything at all. Who knows if that brain of yours is working at all?” He sighed. “ That’s not why I came here. I don’t mean to insult you.”

Then why were you here, Uncle?

“I wanted to talk to you about Lillian.”

It took all of my focus to keep myself from flinching or tensing up at his words. My irritation spiked, and I wanted

to frown, to glare, to demand my uncle back off of the woman who was supposed to be my surrogate.

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Chapter 40

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I had to remind myself that I didn’t care about this, about Lillian. What did it truly matter to me if my uncle took an interest in my surrogate?

But that was the problem right there, wasn’t it? Lillian was my surrogate. Mine. Benedict should know to stay away from her.

“She’s a good woman,” Benedict said. “Smart. Kind. A talented archer. And under a hell of a lot of pressure, especially from the Queen. I know you didn’t pick her, at least not consciously, but she seems like a good sort. Frankly, she’s better than you deserve.”

Again, it took effort not to frown or to furrow my brow, when all I really wanted to do was glare.

“She’s not the usual type you get around here,” Benedict continued. “She’s down to earth, and has been through some tough times. She didn’t tell me that, but it’s written all over her. She’s skittish as a stray cat. But that’s part of what makes her so decent. She’s not like the usual blowhard we get around here at court, trying to puff up their own egos. She’s like a normal person, one I’d meet on my travels.

“What I’m saying is… I think she’s really good for you. Or at least, she would be, if you would wake up already. Haven’t you been sleeping long enough?”

He waited, like he expected me to just open my eyes right at that moment, I had no intention of doing so. There was still far too much at stake, and I still hadn’t tracked down the traitor in my midst.

Calvin was trying to kill me, but I didn’t think he was the only one.

“A girl like Lillian should be pampered,” Benedict said, “because she’s the kind who doesn’t expect it. She doesn’t need it. But Goddess, I think she might deserve it.”

I couldn’t react. Wouldn’t. But my thoughts did turn to Lillian. The defiance in her eyes as she defended herself. The innocence of her startled moans as I touched her. The way she quietly attended me. The marks on her body from where her bastard father and Calvin had failed to protect her, perhaps even implementing her punishment themselves.

I didn’t know what to think of Lillian, or if I should bother thinking of her at all. But I could agree she deserved more than the hand she had been dealt.

Benedict stood. “That’s all I came here to say. Hopefully you’ll wake up soon and be able to do something about this yourself.”

After he left, I stayed on the bed but I blinked open my eyes and stared at the ceiling. I hated that this subterfuge was necessary. How much easier it would be if I could leave this room and take charge of everything myself, without the ruse.

For another hour or two, I simply stewed, growing angry at the people who were plotting against me, eager to get my revenge. They would pay for not only betraying and attempting to take my life, but for also making me have to live in this room for months, unable to take action myself.

Someone was approaching. Stretching out my senses, I could tell it was Prime Beta, so I remained sitting at the desk as he entered and closed the door behind him.

“Have you sent the soldiers?” I asked him.

“I have,” Prime Beta said, approaching me. “But that is not the report I came to bring.”

I glanced up at him, saw the deep lines marring his face. Something was troubling him. “What is it?”

“A servant saw Lillian meeting with Calvin.”

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At once, my muscles tensed. “She… what.”

“I searched myself, but now they are both missing.”

“Missing where?”

“I’m not sure,” Prime Beta said. “But I’ve heard that Calvin’s car was seen leaving the premises.”

Anger sparked hot and furious within me. Lillian had stood here in front of me, looked me in the eyes, and promised not to betray me. Now she was gone. With him.

“Bring her back,” I said, a growl lining my words. “By force, if necessary.”

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