42. Chapter 42

Chapter 42

J ackson stood at the foot of his bed and watched Layla sleep. She had a smile on her face, unaware that he would pull the rug out from under both of them.

The last two days were all he could give her of himself. It was time he prepared to die.

He pushed that thought out of his mind and left the bedroom. One thing at a time. After all, it was the first day of the rest of his life.

He walked down the stairs slowly with his ears open. All the rooms were still occupied, but the patients were asleep rather than unconscious. The Omegas had already started preparing breakfast. It was still early; the sun hadn't risen yet, but Zach had resumed his treasonous whispers that morning. Even after he'd stopped Brax, he wasn't good enough for that cowardly toad.

But Zach was still the least of his problems.

When he started on the last flight of stairs, the warriors meeting in the lobby stopped talking to look at him. None of them did a good job hiding their shock, and some couldn't hide their fear. His leg was as good as new; he had no scars or limp. He'd been told his leg had broken in two places. While flesh wounds healed quickly, a broken bone was a different story. He should have been still indisposed.

He should have been unable to move, but he'd spent two days between Layla's legs.

"Alpha," Micah said with a bow as he came forward.

He nodded at his head warrior and then looked at the men he had been standing with. None of them had been present when he had been attacked, and they hadn't been at any of Zach's meetings, which was a relief. The last thing he wanted was for Micah to surround himself with traitors.

"It's good to see you," Micah continued.

"And you. Where are you heading?"

"Alpha Brax said a red wolf was sighted near their camp last night. They haven't been able to find it, so we're going to help."

They wouldn't find it. But he nodded and left them to continue making their plans. He walked to his office and stood by the windows to look over the training fields. Then when he couldn't put it off, he pulled out his phone. Everyone seemed to have forgotten about the Circle after the last attack but he couldn't afford to.

Hugo picked up after a couple of rings, and from how alert he sounded, he hadn't been asleep.

"It's been two months. Are you going to make me wait to find out what the verdict is?" he asked without preamble.

"Your Highness," Hugo said. He sounded strained. "There hasn't been a decision yet. What you did—"

"Was I supposed to let you take my child?"

"If you'd let us—"

"You knew I wouldn't let you take her. And then you let your third challenge me."

"Finn was... He still had a lot to learn, but he was still one of us. There will be consequences for what you did, but I can't discuss the Circle's investigations with you."

He'd known that. He'd just hoped he wouldn't need to make deals with them. But it was better to make peace with the Circle for Layla's sake.

"If you punish me, will you leave Layla and my child out of it? She doesn't know anything and won't be here much longer."

Would the traitors in his pack tell them how Layla had fought wolves? It was more than likely. It would be tricky enough to hide her from the pack once he took her away, but the Circle had a vast network and endless resources. If they wanted to find her, they would.

"I'll ask, but I can't see that making any difference to the Circle's decision."

"A witch is going around hexing entire packs to do her bidding. Maybe you should focus on that," he growled. "I just need your word that you'll protect your future monarch. You've been asking me for years to give you an heir, and I have."

"Once the baby is born, we can discuss—"

"There will be no discussions. You either swear to spare Layla and my child, or my bloodline will be lost to you forever," he growled. "I'll give you a day to think about it."

He hung up and almost threw the phone against the wall. It was frustrating not to have any answers. That witch had the upper hand, and he was just barely keeping up. Negotiating with the Circle when he had nothing besides his blood for leverage was clutching at straws. They wanted his power; he had done things that other wolves couldn't do for them, but that didn't mean they wouldn't try to kill him or Layla for what he had done to Finn.

A knock interrupted his thoughts, and Diedre walked in. His heart sank when he saw the state she was in. She was so pale and gaunt, a shell of her old self, like the walking dead. She was still in her nightdress and gown, and her hair was unkempt. For as long as he could remember, Diedre always took pride in her appearance. She'd always made sure her make-up was perfect, even for a trip to the kitchen!

He rushed forward to put his arms around her to lead her to the sofa. Her skin felt like ice. How could someone deteriorate so quickly? She was just bone and looked hundreds of years old. Perhaps that was how old she really was.

"You should be resting," he chided.

There was a throw over the back of the chair. He put it around Diedre's shoulders and sat down beside her. It was time to assign a full-time carer for her before she ran herself into the ground. At least until he died and whatever was blocking Diedre disappeared.

"I couldn't sleep. I've racked my brain to see if I'm missing something, and the only thing that makes sense to me is Layla," Diedre said quickly.

"Dee—"

"I told you before. She's the key. She's the only one who can carry your child, the only one who could help you heal the first time you were infected, and I'd bet my last breath that she helped you heal this time, too."

Diedre's hope choked him up.

"Don't bet things like that, Diedre. You have another child to raise."

"I don't know why you won't listen to me," Diedre said. Her voice was shaky and weak, but it was full of her determination. "You truly don't understand the gift the Goddess gave you. How many people do you know who've found their mates? The bond between you surpasses everything else. If you accept her, you two can conquer anything. She's your strength, Jax. She's the better half of you."

"She probably is. But how could I risk her life, Dee? That's asking for the impossible. The very nature of the bond means I can never do anything that may hurt her."

"But she's different!" Diedre whispered.

He tensed. Had his little witch been doing some research?

"There's something about her that feels so different to everyone else," Diedre continued. "The first time I met her, I knew immediately that she was destined to be here at this precise time. I've lost my power, yet people are still healing, and the wards are still active. It's her. It's got to be her."

He sighed and took Diedre's cold hands into his.

"The wards are holding because you made sure they would. You're the strongest witch in the world."

Diedre snorted and looked away, making him want to kill the witch attacking him even more. Dee had lost confidence in herself.

"You are. You need to start believing that again so you can get your strength back," he said firmly. "And people are healing because your healing potions still work. Please, let us just enjoy the time we have left. You have a baby to prepare for."

Diedre had tears in her eyes when she looked back at him.

"Mark her," she hissed. "She's the answer."

"No, Diedre. I'm going to die. You've tried everything, and you have my eternal gratitude and respect. But it's time you accepted—"

The door opened with so much force that it slammed against the wall.

And the last person he had wanted to listen in on that conversation walked in.

"What do you mean you're going to die?" Dylan growled.