Chapter 152 – Check-Up
I never imagined exile would look like this.
King Gabriel's palace is the most extravagant display of luxury I've ever seen, and that's saying something, given my familiarity with mansions and palaces. The sheer improbability of it all is staggering—who would have dreamed that poor orphan Ella would end up rubbing elbows with the most important figures in the land, or become a political threat?
As we exited the cars and entered the building, I could only stare in awe. The wealth here dwarfed anything on my home continent, and the air vibrated with the energy of the city's strange crystals. After a brief tour, we were escorted to a sprawling suite of rooms, even more expansive than the master suite in Sinclair's manor.
However, the size wasn't what left me speechless; it was the feeling of being deep in the alpine forests of my home. The walls were giant screens, each displaying a live feed of dense woodland—or so it seemed. Even the ceiling projected a realistic sky, a light-dappled canopy that cast actual sun rays onto the floor. Tucked in the farthest corner was a large, round bed with sheer curtains. Blankets and pillows awaited, and I felt as though I were in one of my shared dreams with Sinclair.
His arms slid around my waist, his lips grazing my ear. "Do you like it?" He had instructed the King to prepare our rooms this way, to give me a safe space during our exile.
I turned and climbed into his arms, scrabbling up his body as if it were a tree, more than satisfied with a simple hug. I wrapped my arms and legs around my mate, rewarded with a low purr. "We're going to find a way back home, Ella. I promise."
"I know," I said honestly. "I trust you."
Gabriel had stepped outside, leaving us alone. I tilted my face up to Sinclair's, meeting his intense, heated gaze. I couldn't escape it even if I wanted to. He kissed me deeply; only a knock on the door broke the kiss.
The doctor who entered was warm and gentle, showing great sympathy for our plight. It took considerable cajoling to make me leave my mate's arms; only concern for my baby convinced me. He took my blood pressure and vitals, listening patiently as we explained my suppressed wolf and traumatic shift. Sinclair remained by my side throughout the examination. When they wheeled in an ultrasound machine and Rafe's tiny, three-dimensional image appeared, I cried uncontrollably—pure, overwhelming love.
The physician then drew my blood, to the soundtrack of Sinclair's grumpy growls. One final set of tests remained when a guard poked his head in. "Alpha, they've arrived."
Sinclair nodded, but I perked up. "Who?" I asked eagerly. "Cora and Henry and Roger?"
"They'll be here after your check-up, trouble," Sinclair said, massaging my nape.
"But I want to see them!" I insisted, trying to wriggle free of Sinclair's firm hold and the doctor's gloved fingers. "I have to make sure they're okay." Since my wolf awakened, I'd felt even more protective of my family. Cora might trigger the strongest response, but my inner canine had claimed Henry and Roger as part of her pack.
Sinclair emitted a warning growl, sending a shiver down my spine. His strong hands held me in place. I shot him a sullen look as the doctor continued his examination. When I sullenly acknowledged I couldn't overpower them, Sinclair leaned down to kiss my cheek. I jerked away, baring my fangs with an insolent snarl. Sinclair merely arched a foreboding brow before claiming my mouth instead.
In my head, I felt a wave of dominance, followed by his wolf's dark rumble: Behave, sweet mate.
Bite me, my own wolf replied, before I could censor her.
Gladly, Sinclair replied, nipping his claiming mark where my neck met my shoulders. My wolf immediately lit up, and the doctor gave us a quelling look. "I can't perform a cardiac stress test when you're making her heart race like that, Alpha."
"Don't look at me," Sinclair remarked, his eyes glowing. "She's the one challenging her mate." My little imp, he added silently, for my benefit alone.
Rolling his eyes, the doctor finished his tests, rising to his feet as he put away his equipment. "You're safe to return to most of your normal activities, Ella," he instructed, raising a hand when I jumped up. "Avoid strenuous activity, especially given what you've been through. But waking your wolf has helped. However, if you experience faintness, palpitations, spots in your vision, or any of the other symptoms you experienced before, contact me immediately."
"Is there anything I can do to support her?" Sinclair asked; I sensed anxiety from his wolf.
"Continue giving her wolf what she needs. Protect her, care for her, but don't spoil her if she challenges you—the challenge means she needs you to reassure her that you have everything under control," he advised.
"Thank you," Sinclair said, shaking his hand and escorting him out.
I was already out of bed, readjusting my clothes, when he turned back. I bounded across the floor. "Let's go!" I demanded.
Sinclair chuckled, hooking an arm around me, slowing me down despite my grumbling. Minutes later, we were in the entrance hall, and my sister was running into my arms, followed by Roger and Henry. "Cora!" I exclaimed, hugging her tightly. "How are you? Are you okay?"
Cora cried into my neck, her shoulders shaking. "I'm so glad you're here," she sniffled, letting me rock her. "This is all so crazy—one moment everything was fine, and then… and then… why is this happening?"
"I know," I crooned, turning worried eyes to my mate. He was greeting his family with hugs and hushed words; grim expressions were on their faces. But Cora was still weeping, waiting for my answer. "I'm sorry. I never wanted you to get involved."
"How long will we have to stay here?" she asked, reminding me so much of the little girl who used to crawl into my bed during nightmares that my heart ached.
"I don't know," I confessed, kissing her hair. "But it will be okay. I'm just so glad you're here and safe. Was it hard getting out of the city?"
Cora shook her head, pulling away and wiping her eyes. "Roger came for me before the news broke, but we weren't sure you escaped until Dominic sent word. I was so afraid you wouldn't get out."
"I'm safe," I assured her, framing her face. "We're both safe. That's all that matters." Even as I spoke, I looked at Sinclair, who was again shielding his emotions. I knew I was lying. Our safety wasn't all that mattered—millions left behind were likely suffering. I imagined the burden Sinclair felt, being here while his pack remained under the Prince's thumb. Yet, our escape was necessary. Sinclair couldn't help anyone if he were dead, and neither could I.
When he looked at me, I sensed the anger, worry, and fear radiating from him, even as he tried to shield me. While he'd asked how to support me as a mother, I realized I needed to do the same for him. My job was to support my mate during this darkest time, and I decided then and there I wouldn't give him a choice.