Surrogate for the Alpha Prince in a Coma novel Chapter 78

Chapter 78

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Grayson’s POV

I should have known not to trust Lillian. Every time I felt like I could confide in her, I was shown another reason to keep her at a distance.

Yes, our sex had been out of this world. She tasted like the most tantalizing candy. And at the same time, I wanted to hold her and care for her. Even now, it was difficult to walk away, faking a limp, when all I wanted to do was go back there, grab her by the wrist and free her from her father’s company.

But he had been praising her, proud of how good of a little lair she was. Tricking the prince into protecting her biting her, caring about her.

She’d made a fool out of me, and the only person in the whole world that was to blame for it was me. I had told myself to keep distance from her, and yet still, I couldn’t stop myself from touching her. Holding her arm. Wrapping my arm around her. Placing my hand to her lower back.

All of these actions I had been compelled to do as if in a trance, desiring so strongly to touch her, to offer her comfort especially when she seemed uncomfortable. ”

I could hear what people were saying about us, but quickly dismissed those things. People were gossips and royals were easy targets for lies.

I just hadn’t liked how it had affected her.

Once more, I’d sought to protect her, and all the time she was inwardly laughing. Did she even truly care? Or was it all a ruse to earn more of my affection?

I hated this, seething, even as I tried to keep my face calm.

This was exactly the wrong moment for company, yet this is the moment Ophelia made her way to me, finding me in the crowd. I braced myself for the whirlwind that was her and her emotions, reminding myself to be kind. Ophelia had been a friend since we were children. Since then, she had developed feelings that I never matched, but her family was much to blame for that, always trying to push us together.

It still remained a shock that Prime Beta, Ophelia’s brother, had never tried to push the issue with me. Her parents certainly never missed an opportunity.

“Grayson, I can’t get over seeing you like this,” she said, smiling. She was a beautiful girl with a pretty smile. She could have any man she wanted in the whole of the kingdom, except me. Maybe that’s why she continued to pursue me. She’d always been a competitive sort.

“Hello, Ophelia.”

We were friends. There was no reason for me to be cruel with her here, even if I was unhappy with the accusations she had made against Lillian at the judgement. What did that matter to me now? Lillian was a betrayer. A liar.

“I was just thinking. Do you remember all the hunts we attended as children? Remember the time we sneaked away from the royal box to play with the traps.”

“I remember,” I said. We’d accidentally snared one of the gardeners. Ophelia had laughed and laughed, but I had been ashamed. I’d apologized profusely to the man as we cut him down.

A fond memory for Ophelia, it seemed. A dread one for me, that I would rather forget.

“We had so many good times,” she said, and placed her hand on my arm, so near where Lillian had just placed

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Chapter 78

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hers, when I had acted coldly. When I’d told her not to touch me.

Saying that to Lillian had felt wrong, like the words had torn my throat on the way out. I had liked having Lillian’s hand on my arm.

Ophelia’s touch, however, just felt… wrong. In a way that Lillian’s touch never did.

“I was hoping we could talk more. Maybe somewhere private?” Ophelia bat her eyelashes. “It’s been too long since we’ve had the chance to catch up on old times.”

Lillian’s POV

My heart felt like it was being torn in two. I couldn’t betray Grayson, not after all he’s done, but if my father was truly the only one who could save Ronan, how could I not take that seriously? But to be his obedient servant meant falling under his tyrannical rule, which escaping had been a major boon of coming here.

I couldn’t betray Grayson. Wouldn’t.

But Ronan.

What was I supposed to do?

ng away from my father, I hurried forward, not caring where I was going, only knowing that I needed to get

wanted to leave this event, to return to Grayson’s bedroom, to the only space here that I felt safe anymore. But he’d been right in telling me that I couldn’t hide there forever. And if Grayson hated me now, then even that place wasn’t safe anymore.

I was so torn, so distraught, I didn’t know what to do.

Only when Clara approached me, her eyes wide with worry, was I able to break free from my spiraling thoughts to focus on the present.

“Lillian, I have to tell you something,” she said, her eyes darting around.

“What is it?”

“In private,” sh looking

an’t risk being overheard. Here. In the woods. Now, while your guards aren’t

1. She had put her neck out for me many times. I could trust her. I had to. She was one his place.

er a bit into the forest, at least until we were out of sight and earshot of the guards.

what is it?”

“It’s Ophelia,” she said. “She’s planning on killing you.”

I looked at Clara in disbelief. “She wouldn’t. Not in front of so many.”

“Good thing you stepped into the forest then, isn’t it?” said a slimy kind of voice, as a man in tattered dark clothing stepped out from the trees. As did another, and another. All of them looked at us like they couldn’t wait to cut out our hearts.

I scented the air and detected no pack scent. These men belonged to no pack. They were rogues.

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At once, I looked at Clara. “You led me here. You set me up!”

“I didn’t,” Clara said, and took position beside me. “I’m sorry, Lillian. They must have been waiting and I gave them the opportunity, but I didn’t intend this.”

As her fists came up, I started to believe her. She seemed ready to fight at my side.

It would be us, unarmed, against three very armed rogues. I wasn’t sure our odds were great, but we might have a chance with the two of us, more than I ever would have had on my own.

Just then, pounding footsteps sounded through the forest. My heart leaped. Those were my guards.

“Over here!” I called.

They hurried toward my voice, swords raised.

I waited for them to attack the rogues, but, as they came closer, as they took in the sights, they didn’t do that.

Instead, to my horror, they nodded at the rogues and filled in the spaces beside them.

“What are you doing?” I demanded, not wanting to believe my own eyes. These men were supposed to protect me.

“Assuring your death,” said one of the guards.

Clara and I might have had a chance against three rogues, but not when combined with six soldiers.

I looked at Clara, and she looked at me.

At once, we both turned and ran.

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