Their Princess

Chapter 63

Alerix pov

“ Sh*t.” I curse under my breath.

“ Yeah.” Ronan mumbles beside me.

“ It's increasing, and if we don't isolate them now, it will spread like a plague.” The healer replied.

“ Do it then. I will pass the orders.” I still can't believe how dangerous this unknown illness has become for my kind. How can a mere fever bring someone closer to death?

When the healer leaves to complete the paperwork, I stay rooted at my place, to look at the patients ahead of me from the glass wall, which by the way now include my father, Roman and Kai.

The list of patients is long because our generous Kai invited the whole town. Idiot. My security has been keeping an eye on all the guests from the party, and the moment they show the first sign of illness, they are brought in here.

Not all of them got sick at the same time. Some showed symptoms on the same day and some a week later. I just hope my princess stays healthy. I'm still worried about her. 

My father, Uncle and Kai, started to show symptoms last night. Yes, they were the reason why I had to leave my girl to sleep without me. I was beyond p*ssed when they called but somehow managed to keep my calm.

I meet my father's eye and glare at him hard. I still haven't forgotten what he did or tried to do at the party. He picks the tab, and mine starts to ring.

Why can't he take a break?

“ What?” I do not do anything to hide my bitterness toward him.  

He coughs first and then begins. “ What's the plan? How long are they keeping us here?”

Forever. I want to say.

“ I don't know. But probably until you fully heal.”

“ And when is that happening? I can't stay here forever here, Alerix. Get me out.”

What exactly does he want to do outside anyway? Before I can answer him, Zed barges in from the side door. I'm really grateful that he didn't attend the event.

“ I came as fast as I could when I got the news.” He says.

“ You're right on time. Here, talk with the father.”

While Zed talks, I see another woman going into the emergency section. The unknown illness had proved to be harder on the women. Men were showing some signs of improvement, but women's condition only worsened. 

Another reason to keep my girl safe. 

Ronan thinks it's Nat’s doing. But something within me says that there's more to this whole situation. The moment I discover the cause of illness, everything will start to make more sense.

“ Brother? Your tab. Princess is calling.” I take the tab from Zed, and my girl's face appears on the screen.

“ Daddy!” She chirps.

“ How's my little girl? What is she doing?” I ask her affectionately. 

From the corner of my eye, I see people stopping to eavesdrop, stunned to see me expressing my love so freely. I can understand their curiosity. They never expected or saw their high general softening his heart for anyone. 

“ I miss you, Daddy.” There comes her beautiful pout that I want to kiss so badly right now. 

Those lips are mine. 

“ I miss you more, baby.” Each time I'm away from her, my heart yearns for her. I want to hold her closer to my body, breathe in her scent, hear her giggles, and let myself go so that all that remains in me is her.

“ Then come home.” 

Yes, it is that simple. Life is simple for her. I'm the one making it complicated.

“ Soon, baby. Are you having your dinner?”

“ Yes, and it's yum today.” She says in between her bites. I see Eli removing a strand of her hair that is covering her beautiful eyes. 

I still remember the first time I saw those eyes. She was hiding in the corner away from us. When I went near her, she looked so scared and adorable.

I fell for her then and there. I never admitted this to my brothers. I never told them why I brought her home. Because I didn't want them to know that I wanted her, that I fell for innocence. I am not known for charity, so taking her home obviously surprised my brothers.

That day, when I looked into her eyes, I wanted to wrap her in my arms and hide her away from the world, to protect and cherish her. I wanted to tell her that she will have whatever she wants here. She just has to ask.

But my baby surprised me even more when she asked, no, demanded our love, attention, and care. She didn't want the material. She just wanted us. I think that was the reason why my brothers fell for her too.

After checking in the healing center, I held a meeting with my security staff. Rey and Ronan joined me.

“ Did you check the cameras?”

“ Yes. Multiple times, but still nothing.” I huff in annoyance. How is it possible? How are security feeds still clean when a whole town is in danger? Unless…..

“ Ronan?” 

“ Yes?”

“ How's Dacotah doing? He was at the party too.”

While he checks in on the status of Dacotah, I recall him offering another proposal. B*stard had the nerve to come again. Like last time wasn't enough. And what the heck was he offering? 

His daughter.

What kind of father would do that to his own daughter? He wanted to tie his daughter to our family forever. In return, I will have access to his companies.

“ He is still home. Sipping tea in his backyard with his family.” Ronan informed. 

“ Let's join him for a cup of tea then."