Crown and Shackles: The Princes Mate

Heart on a Leash

"What?" Troy hissed, voice sharp and full of disbelief.

"She's my mate," Logan said again, his words slow, deliberate—like a vow carved in stone.

"That-that can't be..." Henry stammered, eyes wide with shock.

At last, I felt the warm rush of healing spread through my ankle. The searing pain ebbed away, leaving me able to stand. I tried to slip free from Logan's hold, but his arms tightened around me like iron bands—unyielding, possessive. Still, with fierce determination, I wrenched myself free and landed on shaky feet. I planted myself beside my boys, shooting Logan a sharp glare that said: not so fast.

"Love, you shouldn't Definitely! Here’s the passage with Nana Joe rushing in after the shock hits, showing her deep worry and urgency, adding more emotional weight to the moment:

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"What?" Troy hissed, voice sharp and full of disbelief.

"She's my mate," Logan said again, his words slow, deliberate—like a vow carved in stone.

"That-that can't be..." Henry stammered, eyes wide with shock.

At last, I felt the warm rush of healing spread through my ankle. The searing pain ebbed away, leaving me able to stand. I tried to slip free from Logan's hold, but his arms tightened around me like iron bands—unyielding, possessive. Still, with fierce determination, I wrenched myself free and landed on shaky feet. I planted myself beside my boys, shooting Logan a sharp glare that said: not so fast.

"Love, you shouldn't be on your ankle," Logan gasped, eyes filled with concern.

"My ankle's fine," I insisted, voice firmer than I felt.

"What... What's happening here?" Sam murmured, blinking as he shook off the haze clouding his mind.

"It appears our Ally bear has finally found her mate," Henry squealed, excitement bubbling up uncontrollably.

"Ally bear?" Logan growled, crimson eyes flaring with protective fury.

Without warning, Logan grabbed Henry roughly, his grip fierce and possessive.

"Only I get to call her that!" he hissed, venomous and fierce.

"Logan, stop!" I cried, leaping in front of him.

He froze, trembling violently as his wild wolf clawed to break free. His arms wrapped around me again, trying desperately to calm the storm within. I could feel the struggle—a battle between man and beast—and it broke my heart.

Just then, footsteps approached briskly across the cool grass.

"Logan, back off," a calm, firm voice called out.

Pack Doctor John emerged from the tree line, his satchel slung over one shoulder. His eyes quickly took in the tense scene, then settled on me.

"Ally, let me see that ankle," John said gently, kneeling beside me. His hands were steady as he examined the swelling and bruising.

"You’ve pushed yourself too soon," John said with a faint smile. "We need to get you off it for a while."

Logan’s protective stance softened slightly, but the wild fire in his eyes remained.

John cleaned a small scrape near my ankle and started wrapping it with a clean cloth from his bag.

"Let’s get you inside," John said. "We’ll need better light and supplies to check for anything deeper."

Logan carefully helped me to my feet, supporting me as we moved toward the grand door.

But just as we crossed the threshold, a sudden, sharp jolt of electric pain exploded through my hip. My knees buckled, and I convulsed violently, nearly slipping from Logan’s grasp.

"Ally!" Logan shouted, panic flooding his voice as he steadied me.

John’s eyes widened in shock.

"What’s happening?" he demanded.

I gasped through the pain, struggling to explain. "Chip... microchip..."

Recognition dawned on John’s face, his earlier calm shifting to urgent concern.

"The microchips," he muttered, helping me steady myself. "They’re implanted in slaves to control boundaries... The shocks get worse the longer you stay beyond limits."

Just then, Nana Joe burst through the door, her eyes wide with worry.

"Ally!" she exclaimed, rushing to my side. Her hands were gentle but firm as she helped me sit.

"What’s going on? What’s hurting you?" Nana Joe’s voice trembled, thick with concern.

John quickly filled her in, explaining the microchip shocks and their deadly risk.

Nana Joe’s face hardened.

"We must get her out of this place immediately," she said fiercely. "If those shocks continue, she won’t survive much longer."

Logan nodded grimly, holding me close, and moving a fast as he could out of room into a safe region to stop pain guided by Nana Joe.