Julian
White hot pain splintered through my head. It wasn’t dull like any headache I had ever had before.
Leaning forward, my elbows on the desk I fought back the urge to groan.
I shouldn’t feel like this. Even after everything that had happened yesterday, my wolf should have been healing me but honestly, I felt worse than I had when it happened.
Of course, maybe I had been so preoccupied by what had happened in the hospital after the attack that I hadn’t really given myself a chance to feel lousy.
Another groan escaped my lips and this time I didn’t even bother to try and stifle it. This wasn’t a groan of pain though, it was a sound of frustration and memory.
The woman had saved me. The sweet smelling she wolf who had given me her body so passionately. I had never felt anything like it. For those passion filled moments, when her body was under mine and she had abandoned herself to me I had felt a connection like I had never felt before.
Someone rapped their knuckles on the wide wooden door of the office and I shook the memory away.
I couldn’t keep thinking about her when I had so much else to concentrate on. Plus it wasn’t like I would ever find her again. All I knew was that she was a wolf and that she was working at the hospital.
“Come in.”
The man who stepped through the door was only a little older than me. I let out a sigh of relief at seeing him. My beta Ian was sometimes the only person I felt I could trust. The only one who understood me and what I was going through.
“Alpha.” He ducked his head in a small bow and then without asking permission fell into the chair opposite me.
“Beta.” I rolled my eyes.
He continued to stare at me. “You look like shit Julian.” He finally said with a chuckle.
Throwing back my head I laughed. “I feel worse I can assure you. What did you find out?” Suddenly serious, I stared at him.
He was the only one I could trust with everything that had happened yesterday. Including what had happened with the little she wolf.
He studied me for a second. “There’s only two wolves on the hospital staff.”
“Two?” I blinked at him in shock. I had presumed there would be more. Two was great news because one of those women was my mystery saviour.
“Yes.” Ian continued to study me. “And only one was on shift when you were there. I’ve had someone go and collect her for you.”
“Good.” I settled back.
“But- “ Ian’s gaze darted away. “Forgive me Julian but what do you expect to happen here? You got married yesterday. You have a mate now.”
“Don’t remind me.” I shook my head. “I don’t even know this woman and-“
“Are you talking about your wife or your mystery woman?” Ian asked sweetly and I couldn’t help it. I burst out laughing.
He had a point there.
“What the hell am I going to do?”
“I have no idea Julian but I suggest maybe put women to the back of your mind for now and concentrate on more important things.” He winked. “Someone tried to kill you yesterday.”
“Yeah well,” I shrugged. “Someone is always trying to kill me these days..”
We both laughed even though it was no laughing matter. It was the truth though. Someone was always trying to murder me. The attempts on my life had been happening since I was a child but last night had been close.
Too close.
“Tell me again what happened?”
I groaned. “Do you really need to hear it again?”
“Yes,” Ian said sternly. And it instantly reminded me of why he was my Beta. He was my friend, yes but he was also great at being my second. A fierce fighter and a clever strategist. He would have made a good alpha in his own right but Ian had never wanted to lead. “You can leave out the sex this time though.”
Sighing, I leant back. “The elders were driving me insane.” I shook my head. That was an understatement. “After the - disagreement about me going to the church.”
His lips twitched upwards as he forced himself not to smile. Another understatement. It hadn’t been a disagreement, it had been a full blown screaming match which had resulted in me storming out before I hurt someone.
“You left, yeah I remember and you went.”
“To a bar.” I reminded him. “I can’t remember which one but-“
He threw up a hand silencing me. “You don’t know which one but somehow your enemies found you and poisoned you?” His voice was sharp.
“I don’t know if I was poisoned but it was like I couldn’t see straight and it’s not like we can get drunk-“ I laughed but there was no mirth in it. “And then,” screwing up my eyes, my hands went to my head as fresh pain ripped through me.
“You said before that it felt like you were going to pass out?”
Mutely I nodded. “Yeah.”
That was exactly how it had felt. Like my vision was swimming and reality had morphed into a dream.
“A poison made especially for you then.” Ian nodded. “I’m guessing they didn’t get the dose right and your wolf saved you. He’s a powerful beast after all. What’s worrying me is that they seem to be able to find you no matter where you go. Are you sure you didn’t recognise them?”
I frowned. Did Ian think I had a traitor in my midst? That wasn’t something I wanted to think about. “I don’t think so. Rogues I believe.”
“Rogues? Maybe but how would rogues be able to find you so easily? How- I’ll check the cameras around the hospital.” He mumbled to himself.
“There’s no cameras in the hospital.”
Ian didn’t answer but the look he gave me was enough to answer enough.
“They were tampered with?” I asked, my head falling into my hands. It was strange but I felt weird. Not out of it like I had yesterday but suddenly weak. Even to my own fingers, I felt feverish. Which was impossible because as the heir to the throne, I was one of the strongest wolves in the country. I didn’t get sick.
“Of course but I’m going to check the neighbourhood and-“ he paused, his eyes narrowing. “You really don’t look great Julian.”
I wanted to tell him that I didn’t feel great either but at that moment the door knocked again. It opened and a woman stepped through.
She was vaguely familiar. I had seen her before. Half rising out of my seat, I tried to catch her scent but her perfume was too strong.
“What is your name?” My hands curled around the desk to stop me from swaying. Standing up was a bad idea but I couldn’t show any weakness. Not in front of anyone’s.
“Megan, your Highness.” The pretty woman dropped her chin into her chest. Her eyes lowered to the carpet and didn’t move from that spot.
“You were working at the hospital yesterday?”
“Yes?” She mumbled. “Alpha.” She added quickly.
I straightened, forcing my spine straight. “Then you are the wolf that saved me.”
She slowly lifted her head, her eyes finding mine and widening. Hesitating, she paused and then a smile spread across her face. “Yes, I’m the one who saved you.”