Page 93 of The Alpha's Crimson Vow

My guards stand at attention by the car, waiting for me. But before I get in, I turn to them, my voice low, firm. “Stay behind.”

They exchange a quick glance, confused. One of them steps forward. “Your Majesty?”

“Stay behind,” I repeat. “Watch over her. Protect her with your lives. But don’t make it obvious. Don’t let her know.” I meet their eyes, my expression deadly serious. “I don’t want her bothered. Just safe. Understood?”

They nod immediately. “Yes, Your Majesty.”

Satisfied, I open the car door and slide inside.

As the driver pulls away from the curb, my mind is still with her.

Even as I head to the airport, even as I prepare to go back to my kingdom and end Valerian once and for all—she is the one thing I can’t stop thinking about.

Chapter Twenty Three

Katherine

It’s been a day since Alex left. And honestly? I don’t know how I feel about it. Part of me feels relieved that I didn’t say it. That I didn’t blurt it out as he stood here in my office.

But I wanted to tell him.

The words sat right there on the tip of my tongue.I’m pregnant. You’re going to be a father.Maybe if I had said it, he would’ve changed his mind. Maybe it would’ve made him see things differently, made him want this—want a child—without hesitation.

But I didn’t. And I’m glad I didn’t. Because it’s clear how he feels about having children. And the last thing I would ever do is put my child through the agony of being unwanted, of having a father who only sees them as an obligation. No child of mine will ever feel like that.

I exhale, pressing my fingers against my temples before turning my attention back to the computer screen in front of me. My inbox is flooded, but one email in particular sits open, staring back at me like a ticking time bomb. James’ latest update on the investigation.

I told him to change his focus, to concentrate on my parents’ murder now that I know the attack on me was orchestrated by Alex’s uncle. Valerian. A man I’ve never even met, yet somehow, would like to see me dead.

But things are finally moving. Pieces of the puzzle are falling into place.

James’ email lays it all out in cold, hard facts. Two members of the board—confirmed. We have them. Solid evidence againstthem. But he’s certain there are more, and now it’s just a matter of proving it.

One name, though, makes my stomach turn. Frank.

James isn’t convinced just yet—the evidence isn’t strong enough. But he knows. He’s sure Frank is involved. And if James is sure, I have every reason to believe he’s right.

I sit back, tapping my fingers against the desk, trying to process it all when a knock echoes through my office.

I glance at the clock. 1 PM. Right on time.

“Come in,” I call out, already knowing who it is.

The door swings open, and Alice strides in. She moves with that effortless kind of confidence—shoulders squared, chin high, steps purposeful. A queen in every sense of the word. She heads straight for the chair across from me but stops just before sitting. Her sharp, assessing gaze sweeps over me, her expression softening into something I can only describe as maternal.

Then, her eyes flicker down—to my stomach.

I fold my arms across my chest. “How’re you feeling?” she asks, her voice warm but scrutinizing, like she’s expecting me to crumble at any second.

I arch a brow. “I’m fine, Alice. I’m pregnant, not dying.”

She finally sinks into the chair, but she doesn’t look convinced. If anything, she looks more concerned, her eyes still locked onto me like I’m some fragile piece of glass about to shatter.

I sigh. “Alice? Stop looking at me like that. I promise you, I’m fine.”

She inhales deeply, like she’s trying to decide whether or not she believes me, then finally nods. “I’ll be heading back to my city today.”

I blink. “Leaving so soon?”

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