Chapter 4

Klaus POV

A groan cut through the quiet room. I closed the book I was reading and leaned against the chair, watching him. He looked peaceful, but I knew better. I’d watched him all night, held him while the worst passed. Rohan, my beta, had taken my place while I stayed with Kade.

His eyelids twitched, and he cracked one open. He smirked as his eyes rested on me.

“How long have you been sitting there?” his voice was a hoarse whisper.  “You look like shit.”

The light filtering into the room outlined his exhausted face as I drew close. I scoffed, grabbed the nearest pillow and shoved it behind his back. 

“You should see yourself,” I muttered. “You look like something worse than shit. And I haven't been here long.”

He nudged me weakly with his elbow. “Liar. You’ve been here all night.”

I didn’t answer. He didn’t push. We never talk about what happens when the curse takes hold. It was an unspoken rule.

Instead, he chuckled low. “Don’t tell me you’re getting soft on me.”

“Keep talking,” I warned, “and I’ll reconsider letting you clean up your mess next time.”

Before he could shoot back another comment, I gripped his jaw, forced his mouth open, and shoved a handful of pills past his teeth. He gagged and cursed, but I tilted a glass of water to his lips anyway.

“Drink,” I ordered.

He swallowed with a grimace. “A warning would be nice next time.”

“A warning will only prolong the inevitable,” I replied, picking up the book I’d dropped. “We can discuss your trauma later. My work here’s done.”

I started for the door, my mind already filling up with her. “Klaus?” The fear in his voice pulled me to a stop. I stole a glance, my jaw clenching at the pain in his face. 

We didn’t deserve this, especially him. Cursed from birth, like we didn’t matter. Growing up alone, with the pain, stigma, and whispers… we did nothing to deserve this.

“How bad was it this time?” he asked quietly.

I paused. A muscle ticked in my jaw. “Worse.”

I couldn’t lie, not that I wasn’t tempted to. But he needed to know. Needed to be prepared when it attacks me. We had just each other now that Papa was no more.

He swallowed. “Did I… hurt anyone?”

“Nothing you need to regret.” I bumped his shoulder with mine. “You didn’t tear apart a village this time. Progress.”

He let out a sharp breath that was too close to a laugh. “I was young. You know that.”

“I do. I was by your side.” My voice softened despite myself. “And nothing you do scares me, Kade. There’s nothing you can throw at me I won’t take.”

He nodded. I squeezed his shoulder gently before heading to the door.“I’m meeting Rohan in ten. Care to join?”

He growled, slumping back down on the bed. “Don’t think you’ll appreciate me meeting him in this state.”

“No,” I said with a chuckle. “I don’t think I would.”

Kade and Rohan were always at each other's throats. They try to keep it civil for my sake, but getting Kade to be civil takes more effort than taming a bull. 

I paused at the door. “Ah, before I forget–” He lifted his head, “We’ve a wedding to plan. Your wedding.” 

Not giving him a chance to react, I closed the door and headed for the study. I could already picture him fuming behind the door. Hopefully, he doesn’t have the strength to cause a scene.

A door slammed shut. “Klaus! That was one sick joke.”

I was wrong.

“It wasn’t a joke.”

In a second, I was slammed against the wall, knocking the air out of my lungs. 

“If it isn’t,” he snarled, his fist tighening around my collar, “then you had better take back what you said.” 

I reacted before I could stop myself, head-butting him in the face. He stumbled backwards, releasing his grip to grab his face. Blood trickled down his nose. Kade had a crazy way of getting me riled up.

“Clean up and join me in the study,” I stated calmly, adjusting my shirt. “If you want to have a say, then you’ll do the work.”

“You don’t tell me what to do!” he barked, and I was never more grateful we had the floor to ourselves. Kade was predictable when it came to his tantrums.

“I’m your alpha.” I walked ahead, my fists buried in my pockets. “Don’t keep me waiting, Kade.”

__________________________________________________

Rohan was already waiting in the study when I walked in. He took one look at me and sighed.

“Another brotherly moment?”

 I shrugged. “No surprises where Kade’s involved.” I waved him off as he tried to stand. 

He didn’t comment. Rohan never commented on the things that weren’t his business, which made him the only tolerable man in the manor. In the pack for all I know.

I grabbed a bottle of whiskey from the decanter, poured myself a large shot and downed it in one gulp. I refilled the glass and headed towards him.

“Kade’s joining us,” I informed, taking a seat next to him.

He cast me a side eye. “You for real?”

“He’s getting married. So now, he has responsibilities.”

Rohan cocked an eyebrow but asked no question. I settled comfortably into the couch and nursed my drink. A little fiery redhead sneaking into my thoughts.

Kade appeared five minutes later. All cleaned up. His hair was still wet but slicked back. He wore a black suit, a tie and all.

I raised a brow, surprised. Rohan whistled softly.

“You clean up nice,” he commented.

Kade ignored him, dropping into the nearest chair with a scowl.

I let him settle before gesturing at Rohan. “Updates?”

“Georgina has gone quiet, almost invisible,” Rohan reported. “My mole in the quarters said she didn’t come out for dinner and hasn’t reported to her duty post this morning. She might be mourning her friend if she thinks she’s dead.”

“And how’s our guest faring this morning?”

He exhaled. “Fiesty. Had to replace three guards already, and it isn’t even midday yet,” Rohan sighed. “She’s refused to eat. Keeps yelling that she won’t marry monsters.”

Kade shifted uncomfortably in his seat.

Rohan continued, “She demanded to speak with you.”

Of course she did. Demanding things already. I’ll get to her in time. Right now, I have bigger problems. Kade.

I leaned forward. “Have you heard anything about her having an affair or a lover down there?”

Kade stiffened. “Klaus–”

I raised my hand, cutting him off. 

Rohan furrowed his brows in confusion, his eyes darting between Kade and me. “Are you planning to have the two…”

I nodded at his half-spoken question, downing the last of my drink.

Rohan shook his head. “Heard nothing of that sort, but I can ask around, make it a priority.”

“Good. That would do.” 

I turned to Kade. He was already on the edge of his seat, fuming. He looked ready to punch me. “Now, let’s talk about your wedding.”

He glared. “You really want me to marry her?”

I chewed the question over in my mind. What I wanted was to strap her against my lap and spank her until she was docile. What I wanted was a fucking break from thinking about her.

I let the drink burn my throat, brushing my thoughts. Slowly, I met Kade’s eyes, holding them until I was certain he knew I was dead serious. “No, but I can’t rule two packs.”

He shrugged. “Sure, you can find a way.”

I clenched my jaw, fighting hard for patience. One more smart reply and I would have to take him by the heel. 

“We need the cure,” I stated, my voice dangerously low. “She wants Silverclaw, but I’ll be damnd if I let her have it and lead it. No council will approve of me governing two packs.”

He looked away first, and I sagged against my seat. I’d won this round.

“Fine,” he muttered. “But when we get the cure, it ends. And I’m not playing the perfect husband.”

“You won’t need to.” I rose to my feet. “You only need to stand beside her.” And tame her. Something i thought of doing all through the night.

Running my fingers through my hair, I turned to Rohan. “Tell our guest she has a wedding to prepare for in three days. Anything she wants should be at her disposal. No question out.”

Rohan hesitated. “She said she’d rather die—”

“Then remind her,” I said, my voice tight and impatient, “that she doesn’t need legs to walk down an aisle… or to find a cure.”

I’ve had enough of our redheaded healer for a fucking day. I walked out before Rohan would say anything else and force me to pay her a visit.