Page 39 of Royal Protector

I wakeup in the fanciest room I have ever been in in my entire life. The sheets are as soft as a cloud, and an expensive coverlet has been laid on top of me. The walls are bright blue, with expensive-looking paintings on the walls, and a crystal chandelier providing dimmed light.

Next to me, Isabella is sitting in an armchair, her hand in mine. She blinks sleepily at me and then sits straight up. “You’re awake!”

“Yeah,” I say, flexing my left arm and testing for pain. The gunshot wound is nearly healed; all left is a burning soreness like I worked out too hard. “Where am I?”

“You’re in our clinic,” a voice says to my right, and I glance over to see Leo sitting on a loveseat, working on his laptop.

“This is your hospital?” I mutter, peering up into the crystal chandelier. “Can’t you all tone it down a little bit?”

Leo laughs. “Trust me, I’m working on it, but for now, welcome to the Ritz of hospitals.”

I shake my head at him. “Where’s Martina?”

“Locked away.” He quirks an eyebrow. “In a much stronger cell.”

“What about Himari? Is she going to be alright?”

Leo’s eyes darken slightly. “She’ll be fine. We have her on an IV to try and get the drugs out of her system. Martina dosed her much more than someone of her size could handle. She’s sleeping but should recover without any issues.”

I finally allow myself to relax a little, sinking my head back into the pillows. “So it’s over.”

“Well, not quite,” says Isabella, tapping the side of her neck. “Leo and Jack called one last meeting of the Alphas. We’ll talk to them in the morning. The rest of the silver should be out of your bloodstream by then.”

“Leo?” I ask sleepily, my gaze never leaving Isabella’s. “Are there rules in this fancy hospital about my Mate joining me here in the bed?”

He barks out a laugh and stands from the loveseat. “Not at all. Just get some rest, and I’ll see you in the morning.” He leaves us, closing the door behind him with a soft snick.

Isabella climbs up into the bed and snuggles into my good arm. “I’m so glad you’re alright,” she says, wiping at her eyes.

“I’ve had worse,” I say with a wink. “I like your new outfit.”

She glances down at the blue scrubs that she’s wearing. “My dress was all torn up. One of the nurses gave me these.” She sighs and tucks a piece of my hair back behind my ear. “I think I’m done with ballgowns for a long time.”

“I think we all are,” I say, pulling her tighter to me. “I don’t think I ever want to do a waltz for the rest of my life.”

We lay there in silence, simply enjoying holding each other. I never thought anything could feel like this. I had always wanted adventure in my life, and I thought I had to be off on my own, exploring the world, to fill that need inside me. Now, I can picture traveling the world with Isabella at my side, facing adventures big or small together.

“When we’re done with this, I’m gonna buy you a big old diamond ring,” I say through a yawn so wide my jaw cracks. “Show the entire world you’re mine.”

“I don’t want any such thing,” she says, lacing her hands through mine. “I’ve had enough with diamonds and glitter and glamour. Buy me a ring that is small and simple. Something that reminds you of the real me.” A smile lights up her face. “From now on, I’m going to wear what I want to wear, and say what I want to say, and I’ll never listen to anyone again.”

“Not even me?” I tease.

“Nope.” She grins up at me with the most beautiful smile, and I can’t help but lean over and slant my lips against hers. We kiss for a few minutes, gentle movements against each other’s mouths. There isn’t much heat, this is kissing for the sake of kissing. Kissing to show how thankful we are to be alive and together.

When we finally pull apart, she sighs happily, resting her head on my chest. “I love you so much, Antoine.”

“And I love you,” I say, meaning it with every part of my soul. “From now on, whatever happens, we face it together as Mates.”

“As Mates,” she repeats sleepily, and together, we fall asleep in the opulent hospital room, ready to face the future together.

ISABELLA

The next morning, Antoine is back to his usual self, grumbling as he gets in the back of Jack and Anna’s car. They insisted on chaperoning us over to the hotel for the last meeting, and I can tell it is making Antoine crazy not to be driving his trusty Jeep instead.

“This isn’t Driving Miss Daisy,” he grumbles from where we sit in the backseat. I swat at his thigh, and his glower fades.

“I’m so glad you’re both okay,” sighs Anna. “And I am so glad this week is almost over.”

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