Chapter 122

Xaden’s POV

“Your Majesty, Miss Maeve has woken. She’s requesting you,” the doctor said as he walked into the waiting room.

It’s been hours since Maeve was brought to the hospital and only an hour since she got out of surgery. They told me that both Maeve and our baby had a successful surgery and they were just waiting for her to wake before allowing anyone to see her. I hadn’t left this area since arriving and I was waiting anxiously for words on how my mate and baby were.

Relief flooded me upon hearing the doctor's words and I quickly stood to my feet. He motioned for me to follow him, and we walked through the corridor until we reached Maeve’s room. As soon as I stepped in, my eyes locked onto Maeves. She had some bruises around her face, but I knew it wasn’t anything that wouldn’t heal.

“Xaden…” she whispered, tears clear in her eyes.

I rushed over to her bedside and wrapped her in my arms; she winced from the sudden contact, and I quickly pulled back, momentarily forgetting that she was hurt.

“I’m so sorry,” I exclaimed. “Are you okay?”

She gave me a faint smile and a small nod.

“They told me that the baby is okay,” she said, tentatively. “Is that true?”

I nodded and kissed the top of her head while putting my hand on her belly.

“Yes,” I answered. “Our baby is okay. I’m not going to let anything happen to either of you.”

“I’m scared, Xaden,” she whispered. “Someone is after us… someone tried to kidnap me.”

“And he’s being taken care of,” I assured her. “He’s not going to hurt you again.”

“Do you honestly think that man wasn’t working for someone? Somebody sent him, Xaden. He didn’t do this on his own,” she said, shaking her head as tears filled her eyes. “Somebody is after me and our baby.”

“I will keep you both safe,” I assured her again, pressing my lips to hers. “You have nothing to worry about.”

……

Third Person POV

“Bring him to the King’s dungeon,” Nicholas ordered, pointing at the guard who had leaked secrets to the bear-shifting community. “I want him interrogated to find out what was said to our enemies and what they are giving him in return.”

“Yes, Commander,” the warrior agreed. He motioned for the other men to take the prisoner to the dungeon.

“Didn’t see that one coming,” Lucas said, shaking his head. “Can’t believe one of your own men was a rat.”

“It’ll be dealt with properly,” Nicholas murmured. “I need to report my findings back to the King.”

They were about to leave when Lucas’ phone suddenly rang. He paused and frowned when he glanced at the screen.

“Hello?” He said into the phone. There was a pause and then his eyes grew large. “What? Is she okay?” There was another pause before Lucas nodded, forgetting for a moment that he was on the phone and the other person couldn’t see him. “Of course. I’ll meet you at the dungeon and we will figure this out. I’m with you completely, brother. We won’t let anyone hurt her again.”

He hung up the phone and then noticed Nicholas was staring at him. He cleared his throat, looking rather awkward.

“Miss Maeve was in an accident. Apparently, she was kidnapped, and the car she was in crashed. My brother, Xaden, is trying to figure out what happened. He’s on his way to the dungeon to interrogate the kidnapper and needs my assistance.”

“Maeve was in an accident? Is she okay?”

Lucas nodded.

“She had surgery. She woke up a few hours ago,” Lucas answered.

Nicholas's stomach twisted at the thought of Maeve being in trouble.

“Okay, go on then,” he said. “Keep me updated. If you need help, you know where to find me.”

Lucas nodded and said his goodbyes before retreating.

For right now, the King would have to wait. Nicholas put his duties aside so he could see Maeve for himself and make sure that she was okay. He reached the hospital in record time and asked the woman seated at the nurses' station for her room number. He figured she’d be on the second floor because that was the royal ward.

Once he reached her room, he braced himself for what he was about to see. He wondered if she would even want to see him. After the scene that was caused at the banquet, he was nervous about where he stood with her. Though they had a special connection, and he was very attracted to her, he also wanted her as a friend.

He was prepared to explain to Prime Beta Burke why he was there to see his fiancé, but when he entered the hospital room, he was surprised to see that he wasn’t there. In fact, nobody was there. Maeve was completely by herself. She was lying in bed, reading a book and looking content. She had some minor bruises and scrapes on her face, but for the most part, she was looking well.

She lifted her gaze, and her eyes grew large when she saw Nicholas standing at the doorway.

“Nicholas…” she greeted. “I wasn’t expecting to see you here.”

He cleared his throat and shut the door behind him as he walked further into the room.

“I came as soon as I heard. I’m sorry I wasn’t here sooner,” he told her, meeting her gorgeous eyes. “How are you feeling?”

She shrugged one of her shoulders and gave him a faint smile.

“I’ve been better,” she admitted. “But the medicine the doctors gave me had helped a lot.”

Nicholas nodded; his stomach twisting even more.

“How did this happen?” He asked her as he stepped closer to her bed. “Who did this to you?”

“He claimed to be a servant, but it wasn’t the truth,” she said softly, staring down at her hands. “I was stupid to believe him.”

“Don’t say that; you aren’t stupid, Maeve,” he told her firmly. “He will pay for what he did. I’ll make sure of it myself.”

She lifted her gaze to meet his, and for a moment, her beauty and charm paralyzed him. He had to remind himself that she was already spoken for.

Speaking of which….

“Where is Prime Beta Burke?” he asked, glancing around the room.

A flash of confusion crossed her eyes, and the memory returned to her. Nicholas still thought that Burke was her fiancé; she had to continue to play the part.

“He left to investigate the accident,” she explained.

His brows furrowed.

“He left you alone?” He asked. “So soon after you woke up?”

She frowned.

“I had been awake for several hours,” she explained.

“Still, it’s strange that he’d just leave you alone after someone tried to kidnap you and then almost killed you,” he murmured. “If I were him, I wouldn’t let you out of my sight.”

“He’s very busy,” she replied. “I don’t hold it against him.”

He was quiet for a moment, not sure what to say in response. He couldn’t believe that Burke would allow Maeve out of his sight after what had just happened. It hurt his heart knowing she was alone and that she could get snatched at any moment if not careful. Maeve deserved someone who would stand by her side no matter what. He could have gotten anyone else to interrogate the criminal, but instead, he chose to go himself, leaving Maeve alone.

How long had she been alone?

“Allow me to stay with you for a while then. Just until he returns,” he suggested.

She frowned and shook her head.

“It’s quite all right, Nicholas. I know you are busy. I wouldn’t want to keep you here…”

“It’s not an issue,” he rushed out. “I would be honored to stay by your side, Madam Maeve.”

He bowed to her, making her chuckle.

“Then, I would love your company,” she conceded. She motioned for him to sit in the nearby chair, and he did so without hesitation.

They spent a little over an hour talking and laughing. Nicholas couldn’t remember the last time he had ever laughed that much. Maeve had a charming laugh, and her humor matched his perfectly. The more they got to know one another, the faster his heartbeat for the girl. A strand of hair fell over her features, and he fought the urge to tuck it behind her ear if only to touch her for a moment. To feel her soft cheek beneath his fingertips and feel the electric pull he knew he would feel.

Once in a while, Maeve would glance at the clock nervously. She was probably worried that her fiancé would appear at any moment and find Nicholas in the hospital room. He already decided he was going to give Burke a piece of his mind for leaving her alone like this. If he wasn’t going to treat Maeve right, then Nicholas would have to do it himself. He would fight for her and her heart until the day he stopped breathing.

There was a knock on the door and Maeve tensed. The door opened and Princess Charlotte walked into the room, freezing when she saw Nicholas.

“Oh, I apologize. Am I interrupting something?” She asked, staring between the two of them.

“Not at all,” Maeve said quickly. “I’m glad you are here. I’m sure Nicholas has been kept from his work long enough. He worries about me being alone. Would you mind staying with me?”

Nicholas felt a jab of disappointment; but he knew if Charolotte was nearby, that meant other warriors were about to appear as well and not just the ones patrolling the hospital currently. He knew it would look odd if he remained after knowing that Maeve was well protected.

“Of course,” she said, stepping further into the room. “That is why I’m here. I came to visit with you. I’ll be here for a while.”

Maeve looked at Nicholas with a smile.

“I’m perfectly safe now. I do appreciate your company this evening, Nicholas. I had a wonderful time speaking with you.”

His heart swelled when he saw the slight sparkle in her eyes, and he couldn’t help but take one of her delicate hands in his. It felt good to hold her hand and to feel her flesh against his. He lifted her hand to his lips and kissed it gently.

“It was an honor,” he told her, watching as her cheeks grew pink. “I will return to check on you again. If you need anything at all, don’t hesitate to call me.”

“Thank you,” she said again, her eyes never leaving his.

“I’m sure if she needs anything her fiancé will be more than willing to get it for her,” Charlotte said, folding her arms across her chest.

“Of course…” Nicholas said, bowing to the princess. “Your Majesty,” he added.

He winked at Maeve and then on that note he turned and left, vowing to himself that he wasn’t going to give up that easily.