Chapter 31

“We’ll discuss that later,” Fleur replied dismissively.

Christian’s silver eyes narrowed slightly.

“Are you certain?” he asked, his tone carrying a surprising note of persistence.

Fleur released a long sigh.

The Alpha King could face armed enemies without blinking, yet somehow became impossibly stubborn whenever she was involved.

“Your shoulder is the priority right now, Alpha Wayne,” she said, twisting her wrist in an attempt to free herself from his grasp.

Christian’s wolf disliked letting her go.

Unfortunately, his injured shoulder chose that moment to throb painfully.

“Don’t forget your promise, Miss Swann,” he said firmly. “I am still owed compensation p>

Fleur rolled her eyes.

“Alpha Wayne, let me go p>

To her surprise, he immediately released her. The obedience caught her off guard. Christian Wayne obeying anyone was a rare sight.

Yet lately, whenever Fleur spoke with enough conviction, he found himself listening.

Fleur quickly headed toward the door. The moment she opened it, she froze. Every member of Christian’s medical team appeared to be waiting outside––doctors, nurses, warriors, and, naturally, Syrus.

The entire group stared at her with varying degrees of curiosity.

Fleur resisted the urge to groan.

The gamma who had barged into the room earlier had undoubtedly spread the story throughout the penthouse.

By now, everyone probably believed something scandalous had happened.

Wonderful. Exactly what she needed.

The last thing Fleur wanted was to become another woman linked to Christian Wayne’s name.

Especially when the Alpha was supposedly preparing for a political mating alliance in only a few days.

The thought left a bitter taste in her mouth.

Why should she expect anything different? Christian had always lived by his own rules.

“Good morning, Miss Swann,” Syrus greeted cheerfully.

“Good morning, Mr. Stone p>

Her response was considerably less enthusiastic. Turning to the doctor, she immediately shifted her attention.

“Please examine Alpha Wayne’s shoulder p>

The doctor’s expression became serious. “What happened p>

“It started bleeding again p>

Concern flashed across several faces.

“The wound reopened this morning. Please check it immediately p>

The physician nodded and hurried inside with several nurses.

Meanwhile, Fleur turned and headed toward the kitchen. Christian needed food before taking another round of medication. If she moved quickly, she could feed him, make sure he followed the doctor’s orders, and finally escape this place.

At least that was the plan.

On the way, she attempted to call Lea and the children. Once again, her phone displayed no signal. Yet everyone else’s devices worked perfectly.

The entire situation felt suspicious.

Inside the kitchen, Fleur quickly got to work. She prepared an omelet, toasted bread, and freshly squeezed juice. Christian preferred coffee with breakfast, but she suspected the doctors would forbid it.

The Alpha already ignored enough medical advice without adding caffeine to the equation.

By the time she finished arranging everything on a tray, a servant stepped forward.

“I can take that upstairs, Miss Swann p>

“No, thank you p>

Fleur picked up the tray herself. The sooner this was done, the sooner she could leave.

When she returned to Christian’s room, the doctor was just finishing.

Fresh bandages covered Christian’s shoulder. The physician looked exhausted.

“Alpha Wayne, you must avoid using that arm for several days p>

Christian’s expression suggested he had absorbed precisely none of those instructions.

Fleur wasn’t surprised. The Alpha King’s wolf seemed physically incapable of following orders.

Her chest tightened slightly as she watched him. The wound had clearly caused considerable pain, yet he sat there as though nothing had happened.

No complaints. No visible discomfort. Only silent endurance.

Sometimes she wondered whether Christian simply refused to show weakness or whether he had forgotten how.

Eventually, the doctor finished. Before leaving, he quietly reviewed the medication schedule with Fleur.

Apparently everyone had already decided she was responsible for Christian now.

The realization was both irritating and strangely flattering.

Once the room emptied, Fleur carried the breakfast tray to the bed.

“Please eat p>

Christian looked at the food. Then he looked at her. Instead of reaching for breakfast, he picked up his phone and held it out.

Fleur frowned. “What is this p>

“You haven’t spoken to your family p>

His voice was calm. “Call them p>

For a moment, Fleur simply stared at him, stunned.

Christian’s tone lacked its usual arrogance, but there was definite concern. It was so unexpected that she almost wondered whether she was imagining it.

If I didn’t know better, she thought, I’d believe he actually cares.

But Fleur knew exactly who Christian Wayne was. Or at least she believed she did.

This was the same man who had once terrified her. The same Alpha whose decisions had nearly destroyed her life. The same wolf she continually reminded herself not to trust.

So why was he acting like this? Why was he protecting her family? Why did he look relieved whenever she was near?

The contradictions made her head hurt.

“I can call them later p>

“No.” Christian’s answer was immediate. “Your phone won’t work here p>

He leaned back against the pillows.

“For security reasons, outside networks are blocked p>

Christian paused, then continued, “I sent Syrus to your home last night p>

Her eyes widened slightly.

“Your family is safe. Security is monitoring the area around the clock p>

His gaze softened.

“If calling them will ease your mind, use my phone p>

Something tightened painfully in Fleur’s chest. Without another word, she accepted the device. Her fingers trembled slightly as she dialed Lea’s number. The call connected after only a few rings.

“Fleur!” Relief flooded Lea’s voice. “Thank God. When are you coming home p>

Fleur’s lips curved into a small smile. “Soon p>

Across the room, Christian quietly watched her. His wolf listened to every shift in her tone. The simple sound of her voice soothed him more effectively than any medicine.

“Everything’s fine here,” Lea assured her. “The twins are at school. Don’t worry p>

Fleur’s eyes stung unexpectedly. The mention of her children always did that.

“Thank you, Lea.” Her voice softened. “I’ll see you soon p>

After ending the call, she handed the phone back. Christian accepted it. Then, before she could retreat, his arm wrapped around her waist.

A startled gasp escaped her lips as he effortlessly pulled her onto his lap.

“Christian p>

His arms tightened around her.

“What p>

“What are you doing p>

Before she could continue, he lifted a forkful of omelet and held it in front of her.

“You haven’t eaten p>

Fleur rounded her eyes at him. The sudden change of subject left her speechless.

“I made that for you p>

“It’s enough for both of us p>

His tone suggested the matter was settled. “If we need more, someone will make more p>

Without waiting for permission, he offered her another bite.

Fleur barely had time to protest before finding herself eating.

Christian looked absurdly satisfied, like a wolf who had successfully cornered his prey. Only the prey in question happened to be breakfast.

And Fleur.

She chewed quietly while her mind raced.

The Alpha King’s arms remained securely around her waist.

His scent surrounded her.

His heartbeat echoed steadily against her back.

And somehow, despite every warning her instincts screamed at her, she found herself struggling less and less.

Which was precisely why she needed to leave.

As soon as possible.

Before Christian Wayne’s relentless determination became impossible to resist again.