Chosen By The Cursed Alpha King Novel

*109 Make Him Disappear Make Him Disappear DAMIEN'S POV Morning light filtered through the curtains of the hospital room, casting a soft golden glow across the bed. It was quiet-too quiet, maybe. Just me and Rose. The others had left hours ago, giving us space after the chaos of last night. Emilia had insisted on staying longer, but Maximus finally convinced her to rest for the baby's sake. Dr. Harlan popped in every half hour to check monitors, but otherwise, it was just us. I sat in the chair beside her bed, my hand wrapped around hers, thumb tracing slow circles on her skin.

She'd woken up a few times during the night-mumbling, shifting-but now she was awake, staring at the ceiling like it held all the answers. I didn't push her. God knows I wanted to-wanted to ask a million questions, demand every detail so I could hunt down anyone left breathing who'd hurt her. But I couldn't. Not yet. Her eyes were distant, haunted, like she was still trapped in that hellhole. I couldn't imagine what they'd done to her. My wolf paced inside me, restless, furious, but I shoved it down. She needed calm. She needed me.

I lifted her hand to my mouth, pressing a gentle kiss to her knuckles. Her skin was warmer now, thanks to Emilia's blood and whatever the doc had pumped into her IV. "I'm here," I murmured against her fingers. "Whenever you're ready." She didn't respond right away. Her chest rose and fell in steady breaths, but I could feel the tension in her grip-tight, like she was holding on to me for dear life. Minutes ticked by, the clock on the wall mocking us with its slow hands.

The palace outside was starting to stir-distant voices, footsteps in the hall-but in here, it felt like the world had paused. Then, her voice came-quiet, barely a whisper. I almost missed it over the hum of the machines. "They wanted to drain my blood." My heart stuttered. I froze, lips still hovering over her hand. Drain her blood? My jaw clenched so hard I thought my teeth might crack, but I didn't speak. I wouldn't interrupt. She needed to get this out, to purge the poison from her system. If I said anything now, it might stop her cold. She swallowed, her eyes still fixed on the ceiling.

"They had so many needles, Damien. Poking into my skin, over and over. I couldn't move. Couldn't scream. I was their lab rat-strapped down, paralyzed, while they talked about me like I was just... a thing. An experiment." Her voice cracked on the last word, and I felt it like a knife to my chest. Images flashed in my mind-Rose, helpless, surrounded by white coats and machines. My free hand balled into a fist on my lap, nails digging into my palm. Who were these bastards? How ||| 1/4 < 109 Make Him Disappear many? I'd find out. I'd make them pay. But right now she was what mattered.

Clair "I thought I was never going to see you again," she continued, her whisper turning ragged. "The pain... it was everywhere. Burning through my veins. And my wolf-she was gone. Suppressed. I couldn't feel her. It was like they'd ripped out half of me. I was so alone." Alone. The word hit me hard. She shouldn't have been. I should've protected her better-beefed up security, never let her out of my sight. Guilt clawed at me, hot and sharp, but I pushed it aside. Focus on her. She turned her head slightly, finally looking at me.

Her eyes were glassy, filled with shadows I wished I could erase. "And then... the woman. She said she was going to come for you next. After they drained me dry. She touched me, smiled like it was nothing. Like hurting you was just the next step." Come for me? "I lost it, Damien. I was so mad. Something inside me snapped-the fear, the anger, all of it. My wolf came roaring back, and I... I killed them all." Her voice dropped even lower, but there was no regret in it. Just steel. "I don't feel sorry. I'd do it again.

If it means they won't come close to you- won't touch you-I'd tear them apart a hundred times over." Her protectiveness hit me like a wave, crashing over the rage and guilt. My mate-small, fierce Rose-had fought like a demon to keep me safe. Me, the man who was supposed to shield her from the world. It clenched my heart, squeezed it tight. She'd do anything for me, just like I would for her. God, I loved her. More than anything. But then her face crumpled. "I was so scared, Damien. I thought it was the end. That I'd never feel your arms again, never hear your voice.

It was all going dark, and I... I couldn't..." Her shoulders started shaking, small tremors at first, then full sobs. Tears spilled down her cheeks, hot and fast, soaking the pillow. The sound of her crying-it gutted me. I couldn't stand it. My strong girl, breaking like this. I moved without thinking, sliding onto the bed beside her. Careful of the IV lines, I wrapped my arms around her, pulling her close to my chest. She buried her face in my shirt, her body trembling against mine. I held her tight, one hand stroking her back, the other cradling her head.

"Shh, baby," I whispered into her hair, my voice rough with emotion. "Nobody's ever going to hurt you again. Ever. I swear it on my life. You're safe with me. Always." She cried harder then, clutching my shirt like it was a lifeline. Sobs wracked her frame, each one twisting the knife deeper in my gut. I hated this-hared seeing her like this, broken and raw. My own eyes burned, but I blinked it back. She needed my strength now, not my tears. We stayed like that for what felt like hours, her tears soaking through my shirt, my arms locked J