Page 62 of Lycan King's Claim
“None,” I reply, my voice filled with despair. “Did the recent tests reveal anything?” I ask hopeful.
The doctor scans his notes. “Her body seems to be rejecting your mark. I don't have an explanation.”
“Then find one,” I snap, feeling frustration boil within.
“We're doing everything we can,” he says calmly.
“Miraculously, your child remains unharmed,” he glances at the clipboard, eyes serious, “But Sienna's body… it's almost like you marking her again is poisoning her.”
My heart feels as though it's being squeezed. “Why? When will she come back to me?”
His eyes hold genuine concern. “I can't say. It's some sort of coma. Brain scans are still pending. And her mate bond with you… it's critically damaged. It's why you have no connection to her,”
The room seems to spin. “Isn't there something you can do?”
“Consulting the witch might help. She could have answers we lack,” he suggests, sounding apologetic. “I'm truly sorry, Xandros.”
As the door shuts behind him, I slump into the chair, guilt anchoring me down. I smooth Sienna's hair back, staring at my mark on her neck, which is like a huge bruise, her skin black as the veins snake out and up her neck.
And as the nights drag on, the weight of this situation bears down on me. The cold room, the relentless tests, the stark reality of Sienna's condition — it all becomes a blur.
Staring at her peaceful face reminds me of the turbulence that brought us here. Memories flood back.
I'm lost in memories of our first meeting, her defiance and spirit, when footsteps bring me back. My mother steps into the room, making me sit up from my slumped position, wearing an expression of pure exhaustion. “Xandros, you must rest.”
I shake my head fiercely. “I can't leave. What if she awakens, and I'm not here?”
“You have to care for yourself too,” she insists, her touch comforting.
“Where's the witch?” I snap, ignoring her comment.
“Javier and your father are bringing her,” my mother answers, her eyes clouded with worry. “But she might not have our solution.”
“We'll keep searching,” I affirm, touching Sienna's face gently. “She'll come back.”
My mother's voice wavers, “I ache for both of you. But you have responsibilities. The kingdom requires your strength. I know you would rather not hear this, but I've been speaking with the doctor, and he's been looking into the history of broken bonds; if yours is broken, you need to prepare yourself. None have ever come back. They've just remained in this sort of state,” she tells me, but I glare at her.
“Without her, life is meaningless,” my voice is a mere whisper, holding back a tide of emotions. “I'd dismantle the world to get her back.”
My mother's gaze hardens with determination. “Then do so. But rest first. I'll stay with her.”
“Please, Xandros. You haven't slept in days, she is safe with me, I will not let anyone touch her without your consent. The entire hospital is aware that only you and Dr. Rami care for her. I promise I will look after her, she tells me. “Fine, but only a couple of hours, then I'll be back,” With one last, painful look at my mate, I exit, the weight of my worries and hopes dragging behind.
31
THE NEXT DAY
In the dimly lit room, Sienna's chest rises and falls in a steady rhythm, her breaths shallow but persistent. My heart aches as I watch her, desperately grasping for any sign of life beyond the machines that tether her to this world. As her mate, I should have been able to protect her; instead, I have only managed to shatter the bond between us, leaving her teetering on the edge of oblivion.
“Doctor Rami,” I call out, my voice hoarse from arguing with the Council and my parents, “There must be something more we can do?” The doctor, his silver hair unkempt and his eyes weary from countless hours studying Sienna's condition, shakes his head. “I've tried everything I know, Your Highness. We've administered everything possible, and even attempted various magical healing. But nothing has stirred her from this coma.”
“How can she be in a coma, be healed but not wake up!” I mutter angrily at the world.
“On the plus side, she no longer needs the breathing tube, her scans are showing nothing, now we wait,”
“How is that a good thing we needed the scans for answers?” I scoff. Dr. Rami sighs heavily. “What we were looking for on the scans would have been tragic my King, not a solution, it's good news we found nothing, better than the alternative,”
“What was the alternative?” I ask him nervously.
