Surrogate for the Alpha Prince in a Coma novel Chapter 44

Chapter 44

Chapter 44

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Lillian’s POV

I couldn’t help but check over my shoulder as I walked along the road headed toward the Royal City. Would Calvin think to look for me here? Would he send people to search for me and drag me back to him?

Without knowing for sure, no amount of caution felt like too much. So every time a car would start to drive by I would jump and hide among the trees along the side of the road, not allowing myself to be seen by anyone.

Once, while hiding in the bushes, I saw a whole caravan of dark sedans rushing in the opposite direction, coming from the Royal City. They were driving fast, but through the windows, I saw Prime Beta and several of Grayson’s royal guard.

Where could they be going in such a hurry? Was I too late to save Grayson?

Or had he sent them out without knowing the danger he was in? Without Prime Beta there, even less people would be present to protect Grayson.

The moment they drove by, I jumped from the bushes and started my trek with new urgency. I stopped hiding from cars now. As I neared the city, it would have been impossible to hide anyway. But concern for myself was quickly dimming.

In my haste, I could only think of Grayson. Unsuspecting, likely pretending to be in a coma while someone else fed him. The maid?

Gods, I had to get there first. If I was too late, this could only end one of two ways. Either Grayson would eat the poison and suffer from it, or he would detect it and have to reveal himself to be awake, which would ruin his plans and leave him open to new dangers.

Before I knew it, I was running, uncaring what I must have looked like, covered in mud and dirt and bits of leaves from the bushes and trees. I only cared about making it back to Grayson in time, regretting any moment I spent contemplating leaving him to his fate.

Faster, I whispered, pushing my legs as hard as I could, surprised by the own speed I found there.

Still, it didn’t seem like enough. Only when I was with Grayson, could see him healthy and whole, his secret still safe, would I be able to relax. Until then…

I had to keep moving. I had to get there in time.

I clung to hope.

Grayson’s POV

I checked the clock on the nightstand. It had only been a few minutes since Prime Beta had left to see to his duty, yet I remained anxious for answers, furious for Lillian not to already have been captured and returned to me.

If I was free to leave this room, I would have found her myself and delved out punishment on the spot. Instead, I was confined here, a prison of my own design. It had purpose, I knew that. And when my anger moved on, I was sure that I’d be able to see that more clearly. I’d remember. I’d know that staying here was the right choice.

As it was, I wanted to leap from the window, to chase after her, to show her why she was so wrong to betray me, to think she could run. Nowhere would ever be safe from my wrath.

The sound of soft footsteps roused me from my thoughts. I didn’t recognize those footfalls. They seemed hesitant and unsure, too short-stepped to be confident. A servant, perhaps, but definitely someone coming toward my

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Chapter 44

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door.

Hurriedly, swallowing an annoyed huff, I returned to my bed, pressing my head down onto the pillow, with my arms flat at my sides. In position, I closed my eyes and waited, listening intently for my unknown visitor to arrive.

The soft footsteps came to the door, and a light knock sounded. There was no one inside to answer. After a moment’s waiting, the door creaked open and a maid stepped into the room.

Her scent was familiar. Not anyone I knew personally, but not someone who stuck out in a place like this. She smelled like the kitchens and a bit of soap. She smelled like pack, not an outsider. Not someone who didn’t belong.

She was carrying a tray with soup on it. Chicken noodle. Fresh.

“Forgive the intrusion, Prince,” the maid said. Her voice was light, young, and trembling slightly like she was nervous. “But with the Prime Beta gone, and the Queen indisposed, I was elected to serve you your lunch.”

I appreciated her verbalizing with me, but it also made me cautious. Did she suspect I was awake? Or was she just vocalizing to appease her own nerves? Focusing my Alpha senses specifically on her, I hear the sound of her quickened heartbeat. The way she seemed to be holding her breath until the last possible moment.

She placed the tray on the table beside the bed. My spectral wolf hopped up from the other side of the bed, resting across my legs.

She swallowed hard, likely seeing it.

“Chicken noodle soup, fresh from the kitchen,” she said. “I hope you like it.. Um… Can I feed you? Or?”

My wolf started growling. Did she think she would get any closer than this? Did she trouble believe my wolf would allow her to touch me, to feed me, when he had killed others for less?

“Maybe… Maybe I should wait for the Queen… I… yes… I’ll see to… someone else… giving you your lunch.”

She turned then and practically ran from the room. Her footfalls were faster now, harder against the wooden floorboards. When she was gone, I sighed and opened my eyes.

My wolf, still across my legs, chuffed.

Sitting up, I could only shake my head in agreement. Even as I did, my stomach rumbled. The soup did smell good, and as angry as I was, I was still hungry.

My wolf looked at me.

“Can’t let it go to waste, can I?” I asked. “Especially not while it’s hot.”

Though, as I reached for the food, I paused. The maid had been acting strangely nervous. Was I wrong to suspect? Was I being paranoid? Most people who entered my chamber, especially those who did not know me well, were often nervous. Had she truly been acting any differently from any other who came through my door?

I was uncertain, but with another gurgle from my stomach, my hunger won out. Reaching for the bowl, I cupped it in both of my hands. It was warm and smelled divine.

Slowly, I lifted it toward my mouth.

I had been so consumed with my hunger, that I hadn’t noticed pounding footsteps nearing my door until it was thrown open and Lillian was there. She threw the door closed behind her as she rushed to me. Without saying one word, she smacked the bowl from my hands.

I had been too surprised seeing her to do much more than stare, even as the bowl clattered on the floor, the soup

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Chapter 44

splashing out, ruined. My wolf merely tilted his head in curiosity.

“Did you drink any?” she asked in haste, her eyes a bit wild. “Tell me you didn’t drink any!”

I blinked, slowly recovering from the shock. “What is the meaning of this?”

She was breathing heavily. How long had she run to get here? Just to knock food from my hands?

“The soup was poisoned.”

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