The Wolf King (The Wolf Kings #1) (MLM)

CHAPTER ELEVEN.

                Jack needed to sit down. He was going to be sick. And he was still holding the damn tray.

Unbidden, a laugh that felt nothing like a laugh rose to his lips. Or maybe it was a cry. Either way, there was a pain in his chest, right over his heart. The teacups and teapot clattered.

Tiberius took a step towards him. "Jack –"

"Get out."

"Jack, please listen to me –"

"Tiberius," Jack's voice trembled. Tiberius fell silent. "I don't want to see you right now. Get. Out."

"Tiberius," Liam tugged on his elbow. "Go. Go, we'll take care of him, go."

"Jack –"

"Enough now," Winnie moved to block Jack from Tiberius's view, which was a little ridiculous since she was a good two heads shorter than them. She shooed him towards the door. "Go go, we'll get some food in the young king, looks like you've been starving the poor man anyway."

"I haven't!" Tiberius argued. "I wouldn't, I – Jack. I'll come back in an hour to get you."

"I can find my way back myself."

"No!" he said fiercely, startling him. "Do not leave by yourself, understand me? I'm coming back to get you. Don't leave, Jack, it's not safe!"

"Yes, yes, he knows," Winnie said busily, waved him goodbye, and though Tiberius still looked hesitant, she shut the door behind him. She huffed, hands on her hips. "Well, we'll never hear the end of it now. Oh but never mind that, sit down, Your Majesty, you look pale."

"You don't have to call me that," Jack murmured, half-distracted as he sat down. He hadn't even realized he was still holding the tray until Liam took it off his hands.

"Here, son, here," Liam poured him some tea, the chamomile scent wafting around the space quickly and filling Jack's senses. He used it to help his thoughts focus. "Have some of that."

"I'm sorry," Jack said, taking the cup. "I don't want to get you in trouble with him."

"I don't think he left quietly for us," Winnie chuckled, sitting down beside him with a faint oomph. "If you hadn't told him to go, he never would have."

"He doesn't always listen to me," Jack grumbled. "If he did, I'd be back home."

"Home?" Liam sat down on his other side. "But Tiberius is your home now!"

Jack heaved a sigh, holding his head in his hands, too tired to argue.

"I have to beat witches?" Jack looked up helplessly just a minute later. "A few days ago, I didn't even believe witches existed."

"You also didn't have a mate," Winnie said kindly. "Things change, darling! You have to keep up!"

Jack shook his head. "I don't know how to. I'm sorry, but I can't fight witches. I can't protect you guys! Tiberius wants too much from me!"

Winnie's eyes softened and she took Jack's hand in hers, the other reaching up to brush the all but healed scratch on Jack's cheek. "Tiberius wants you. Nothing else."

"Why do you trust him?" he said hoarsely. "Because he's king?"

"Because we know him," Liam chuckled quietly. "We all do. Maybe that's what you need to do, Your Majesty."