The King

chapter 44

The door burst open, I looked up and saw Penny from where I was perched over the bed.

Her wide eyes quickly filled with tears, and a loud wail ripped through her throat, the sound of it bringing wetness to my own eyes.

"Zeke!" She cried, and I had to shut my eyes. I gripped his hand tighter and brought it up to my forehead.

Lucas had walked up to Penny, barely catching her before she dropped to her knees. The both of them sank to the floor as she shook against him. "Lucas, no!" She yelled as she screamed at the top of her lungs. "No- I can't lose him! He's the only family I have left!"

I lifted my head to see Lucas gulp, his own eyes red and tear rimmed.

"You won't." He reassured. "Zeke's going to be just fine."

Her tears kept falling, but she did get quieter. Lucas slowly let her go as he realized she wanted to get up, once on her feet she took small steps forward towards Zeke and I. Her lip quivered as she looked him over before her glance shifted towards me. "C-Can I be alone with him for a while?" She asked me.

I brushed a tear back and nodded, letting go of Zeke's cold hand and patting it before getting up. I adjusted the dress I was wearing, and moved towards Penny, pulling her into a bear hug.

"He'll be alright. I swear it." I said while rubbing her back, her response being droplets of tears trailing down my back. I let go of her and towards Lucas, who was holding the door wide for me.

We stepped out into the chilly hospital hall, I noticed Mandy sitting down on the chairs in front of the room, she gave me a small smile before returning her gaze back down to the floor. I brought my arms up to retain some warmth. Lucas, upon noticing quickly stripped off his suit jacket. I could've rolled my eyes at the cliche but I couldn't even blink without feeling as if my energy was drained by it. He handed it over to me as we sat down on the chairs in front of the room, I slipped it on over my shoulders and relished the heat.

The three of us sat in silence staring ahead at the door in front of us, the occasional cough was heard far off in the distance, I saw Mandy's head fall forward before she snapped it up again, she looked really tired. My eyes trailed towards Lucas' arm, there was a watch on his wrist that read '12:52 AM'. My eyes went up to his arm as I took in the ripped bloodied fabric on his upper arm from when the bullet grazed him.

"Do you need to get that checked?" I asked, breaking the silence in the room.

He looked down to where I was looking, his lips pursed as he rolled up his dress shirt. I had expected to see any type of mark present on his arm but was surprised when it was just dried blood.

"Looks like it's all healed." Was all he said, and I just nodded. I laid my head down on his shoulder, feeling the effect of the late night hitting me. He sank lower in his seat so I could be comfortable and I mentally thanked him. I closed my eyes letting sleep have its way with me.

♥♥♥

"Hold on a second..." I heard Lucas call out, pulling me out of my slumber. I peeled open my eyes the bright hospital lights burning them. I lifted myself off Lucas rubbing my eyes as he kept talking.

"... How was I not informed earlier that he had died!" Lucas yelled, and my eyes burst wide open. I saw Lucas glaring down a guard, who was looking down in submission.

"Sorry, Alpha." Was the guards' answer.

My eyes wet, and I tugged on Lucas' arm, fearing the worst. "Luke... who-" my voice cracked. "Who died?"