Chapter 17

Von

The driver slammed on the brakes, jolting me from my thoughts. I frowned, turning to him. “Why did you stop?”

He looked nervous, his eyes darting to the road ahead. “There’s a body on the ground, my lord.”

A cold chill ran down my spine. “A body?”

Without waiting for a reply, I opened the car door and stepped out. The night air was heavy, and as I walked toward the figure lying motionless on the road, dread began to claw at me. My steps quickened, and when I finally saw who was on the floor, my breath caught in my throat.

It was Rae. How did she get here?

I dropped to my knees, carefully scooping her up into my arms. “Rae…” I murmured, her body limp and bruised.

Anger took over, replacing the shock I felt within. I was sure she was trying to escape when she ran into trouble.

I pushed my anger away. Right now, she needed help.

“Get us to the nearest hospital,” I barked at the driver.

“Yes, my lord,” he stammered, hurrying to comply.

As we sped toward the hospital, I couldn’t tear my eyes away from her battered face. My jaw clenched as thought clouded my mind. Who could have done this to her? And why?

When we arrived, the nurses rushed out with a stretcher. I gently placed her onto it, her head rolling to the side. “Take care of her,” I demanded in a firm voice.

They nodded, wheeling her inside as I stood there, with my fists clenched at my sides. My anger grew with each passing second, but I forced myself to stay in the waiting room, pacing like a caged animal.

Finally, after what felt like hours, the doctor emerged.

“She’s stable,” he said in a calm tone. “She’s suffered multiple injuries, particularly to her ribs, but she’ll heal in time.”

Relief flooded through me, but it did little to dampen my anger. “Can I see her?”

The doctor nodded. “Of course, but don’t overexert her. She needs rest.”

I thanked him curtly and made my way to her room. When I entered, I noticed how she looked so pale, so fragile, and different from the fiery woman I knew.

It was a bit satisfying to see her this way.

I pulled a chair close to her bed and sat down. I planned to scold her, but the minute I sat down my anger vanished.

“What happened, Rae?” I asked softly.

Her eyes fluttered open, and for a moment, she looked dazed. Then her expression changed, and tears welled up in her eyes.

“It was Kayla,” she whispered, her voice shaky. “She… she blames me for Damien’s death. She said it was my fault and then she decided to hurt me to avenge Damien’s death.”

As she spoke, the pain in her voice cut through me. I felt my heart ache. She began to cry, her sobs wracking her fragile frame.

“Maybe she’s right,” she choked out. “Maybe it is my fault, and maybe I deserved everything she did to me.”

“No,” I said firmly, leaning closer. “Don’t you dare think that way? If anyone’s blaming for Damien’s death, it’s me.” I was surprised by my own words.

Her tear-filled eyes met mine, and my anger returned but this time it wasn’t at her but at the bitch who had tried to hurt her. I hadn’t felt this way in a while, and I was a bit confused about my emotions.

“I caused this,” I admitted, my voice heavy with guilt. “I’m the monster here, Rae, not you. If Kayla wants someone to blame, she should come after me, not you.”

She stared at me, her tears still falling, but there was something else in her eyes now—something that looked almost like shock.

I wasn’t surprised that she was shocked by my actions. I felt the same way, and the next thing action I took shocked me even more.

I reached out and gently brushed a strand of hair from her face. “Rest. Heal. I’ll take care of this.”

She grabbed my hand weakly. “Don’t do anything stupid.”

A small, humorless smile tugged at my lips. “I’m the hybrid king. I don’t do stupid.”

I left the hospital and as the driver drove me back to the palace, the image of Rae in the hospital bed replayed in my mind,

I could feel my anger triple, and the need to hurt Kayla was all I could think about.

I don’t know why I was acting this way, and I don’t bother wasting my time trying to understand the reason for my actions.

I just wanted Kayla to pay.

“Alpha King!” I shouted after I arrived at the palace.

He appeared at the top of the grand staircase with a confused expression plastered on his face. “What is the meaning of this commotion?”

I climbed the stairs two at a time, meeting him halfway. “I couldn’t sleep, so I went for a drive. Do you know what I found? Rae. Beaten and left in a terrible condition on the side of the road.”

Shock flickered across his face. “That’s… impossible.”

“Is it?” I growled. “Because I think it’s very possible, considering the company you keep.”

Just as the words left my mouth, a figure descended the other staircase. She moved with grace. She had a sly grin that took over her face. From the look on her face, I knew who she was.

“You must be Kayla,” I said, my tone cold.

She smirked. “I am. And do I owe you something, Hybrid King?”

I turned to the Alpha King. “She’s the reason Rae is in the hospital.”

Kayla let out a laugh. “I have no idea what you’re talking about. I haven’t even seen Rae. And besides, isn’t she just your maid? Why are you so concerned about her?”

I stepped closer, glaring down at her. “In my kingdom, we treat people with respect, no matter who they are.”

Kayla’s smirk twisted into a sneer. “Respect? Is that what Damien got in your kingdom?”

My hands clenched into fists at my sides, and for a moment, I considered draining out every blood flowing through her veins.

But before I could act, the Alpha King spoke up.

“This matter will be dealt with properly,” he said. “When Rae returns, she will determine the punishment Kayla deserves.”

Kayla opened her mouth to protest, but the Alpha King silenced her with a sharp look.

Satisfied, I turned and left the palace, heading back to the hospital.

When the doctor finally discharged Rae on the third day. We both returned to the palace.

The throne room was filled with tension as we waited for the Alpha King to speak.

He stepped forward, addressing Rae directly. “I apologize for what you’ve been through. Rest assured, Kayla will face justice. You will decide her punishment.”

He gestured to the guards, instructing them to bring Kayla forward. They left, but when they returned, their faces were grim.

“She’s gone, my lord,” one of them said. “Her room is empty.”

“What do you mean gone?” The alpha king asked. “I saw her this morning.”

“One of the guards said he saw her climbing over the palace walls.”

I felt my anger flare again. “She won’t have gotten far,” I said through gritted teeth. “I’ll find her.”

The Alpha King nodded solemnly. “Make sure she’s brought back alive. Justice must be served.”