Someone cleared their throat behind him. Chris turned his big raven head to see a female, he didn’t care, he turned back around, nuzzling his chin back into Jaxson’s warm fur. He hadn’t woken up yet.
“Is that how you greet your mate? I can’t believe you’re guarding him. You know he’s lied to you.”
Chris narrowed his golden eyes. He looked back around looking at her properly. Lauren. He huffed at her, unable to link without her in wolf form. He slid off the bed, scooping his clothes up in his mouth he went to the other side, hiding himself a little from view. Not that furless forms were exactly something to hide. They changed so often there was no embarrassment. But he didn’t really want Lauren to watch him. There was something about being a royal meaning you needed to be more decent. He shoved hi
“I can walk!” Jaxson grumbled as Chris helped him through the palace the next day.“Maybe, but you’re still sore.”“I spend my life sore!” he protested.“You always this grumpy after being injured?”A growl rumbled in Jaxson’s chest.“Take that as a yes,” Chris teased.“Christopher!” his father shouted from behind. Chris flinched slightly at the harsh tone.“Yes?”“Where are you going with that guard?”&
Chris awoke to the feel of arms over him, dragging him. His eyes shot open, instantly trying to work out the commotion in the gloom. “Intru-” he instantly began linking but was cut off with a pinch to his neck and the burning of molten gold poured into his veins.Wolfsbane.He finished the link, knowing the second half of his alarm wouldn’t be heard. Wolfsbane was instant. He felt his burning limbs grow weak and heavy, his struggles while to him felt violent and all consuming, he was barely moving an inch at a time. The assailants had made no sound. He had no idea who they were, with his body being poisoned, he couldn’t comprehend their scent.
“My Prince!”Chris frowned to himself. He was quite happy asleep, who was shouting?“My Prince, where have you been?”A shard of agnosing flame ripped through his skull, he groaned. He wasn’t in pain while he was asleep. He much preferred sleep.“Are you OK?” the female voice had got much closer. He heaved himself onto all fours, feeling warm soil beneath his fingers.Why was he outside?His splitting headache had caused a fog, he couldn’t remember anything. His chest was burning, his limbs felt heavy but not too bad. A strange taste in his mouth. He tried to take stock if he were injured but couldn’t fe
“We have to find him.” Chris shoved the healer from her inspection of his fingernails.“I agree, but you are staying right here.”Chris let out a laugh of disbelief as he heaved himself to his feet, ignoring the protest of the healer.Wade continued before Chris could speak, “My main priority is to keep you safe. Someone has clearly harmed you. We have to get to the bottom of that and find Jaxson.”“I need to help.” He wanted to say his wolf had returned. State he could be helpful by scenting his mate and searching through the link, he wanted to say he felt fine. But he couldn’t. It was like a block, when he tried to say it he said something else. “I want to find Jaxson.”
Jaxson’s shoulders were burning. That was the first thing he realised. That dull burning ache that screams at you to move. He tried to shift, alleviate the pain. Nothing. He couldn’t move. He thought he was bound until the next sensation hit him. While his shoulders were aching, his whole body was sizzling. He knew he was healing from the beating, but this was as if he had been beaten all over again. Wolfsbane. Wolfsbane was in his system. It was part of training to be injected with wolfsbane to know how it feels. To understand the effects. Well… that meant right now, he knew he was baned up to his eyeballs.Explained why he couldn’t move. Not even a muscle.He was a big male, he couldn’t deny that, while the dose that was standard in training knocked many for six, he had felt the effect but not a lot else. Now? Oh it
“Hello?”Jaxson’s eyes snapped open at the voice, the sun blinding him momentarily.“Err… are you OK?” A male was peering up at him from a safe distance, confusion marring his features.“Get me down,” he croaked.“Right… going to need to phone the fire brigade I-” He was in human land...“No. Ladder. Just… ladder.”“Are you sure? You… you look like you need a hospital.”“Please, just… just get a ladder.” He could not be sent to a human hospital. While they
“We have Royal Guard Jaxson.”The link came through, soring relief through him.“How is he?”“They’re on their way to the guard infirmary.”Chris’ heart stopped. They didn’t say he was OK… He crammed his feet into shoes before sprinting from his suite. “My Prince!” The two guards stationed outside his front door yelled as he sped past them.“Guard infirmary!” he shouted back, hearing their boots pounding the wooden floor behind him. He didn’t bother with the stairs,
Getting Jaxson to the suite took a while, but was faster compared to if Adam hadn’t helped. They got him up to the master bedroom that they had spent a mere half a night in together. “My Prince, can I stay a moment?” Adam asked politely.“Of course. I fear a guard will have to be present at all times, anyway.”“Very true, my Prince.”“What was that about Laura?” Jaxson queried, settling into the plush bed.“Prefer to relay it to you when I do Jess. I can’t be bothered to repeat myself.”Jaxson sniggered quietly.“Sorry… I didn’t mean for it to come-”“Don’t worry. Adam, get me some water, yeah?”“Course.” Adam looked concerned a moment before disappearing through the door.Chris shuffled until he were next to his mate. “I don’t like seeing you like this. Do you think marking would help?”Jaxson slumped until his head rested on Chris’ shoulder. “I don’t know… but…” He rubbed a finger over his canine over his flesh. “I can’t.”“What do you mean you-?!” Chris began in alarm before recogn