Chapter 102: Boyfriend

*Ciana*

I couldn't believe I dozed off!

Theo said they would be leaving in two hours-were they already gone?

I ran to check on Warren. He wasn't in his room. For a mo- ment, my heart sank to the bottom and I thought they chose to leave without me.

Thank Goddess, when I got to the foyer, Jake and a cou- ple of guys were getting Warren loaded into a van. He was strapped on a gurney, still unconscious.

Aurora was there, saying goodbye to Warren. Her eyes were glassy with tears.

I walked over and was about to ask Aurora whether she would like to come with us to the palace, when I realized that Theo actually hadn't extended the invitation for me to go with him.

I watched Theo and Jake getting prepared to set off, and couldn't help but decide to find out what was their plan.

"Do you have a plan on what to do now?" I asked, walking up beside Theo.

His face was drawn and distant again. The past 12 hours seemed extremely long, and he'd been so obviously upset and emotional at what happened to Warren and what he was ca-

pable of.

ty.

For a few moments, he'd even let me see that vulnerabili-

Now, he was the same old aloof Theo again.

"Yes, to a degree. We've made some arrangements in the palace," Theo said.

"Okay," I said softly, looking at the ground.

Theo's 'we' only included himself and Jake, obviously. It didn't sound like I was being included to return to the palace.

I couldn't assume that I'd be welcome to accompany them without an invitation, as the royal palace wasn't my backyard. Now that I'd technically "dropped out" of the running for Theo's potential bride, there was no reason someone like me would have to go to the castle.

The palace wasn't exactly open for anyone to come and go as they please.

But I wanted to. My heart ached with the desire to stay with Theo and to see Warren recover.

Theo wasn't inviting me, so I wasn't sure if he'd be recep- tive to me asking to tag along, because I might end up being more of a burden to him. He had a lot going on in his head with what he'd been through recently.

Then there was the promise I'd made to Lady Nita. I'd told her I would stay away from Theo and the palace if she helped him. She'd kept up her end of the deal. I couldn't go back on mine.

Besides, and most importantly, I'd kissed Theo last night and he'd... he hadn't mentioned anything about it.

At this point, I could no longer lie to myself.

Yes, I fell for the Dark Prince.

I wanted to be with him and be there for him. I wanted him to know that he wasn't alone.

But what did he think about me?

Yes, he was protective of me, I knew that, just like he cared about Maggie, Warren, and even Jake. But was there anything more than that?

"Ciana, you in there?" Jake asked, waving his fingers in front of my face.

"Y-yes, what?" I asked, snapping out of my trance.

"I've been calling you. You must have been thinking pretty deeply."

"Oh, yeah... I just hope Warren gets the help he needs," I forced a smile on my face and played it off like it wasn't a big deal that they were leaving without me.

But it was.

headed back

extremely disappointed that Theo didn't want me to go with them. I could feel

Warren the help he needed. As for

there. She misses

It felt like I hadn't seen her for years.

feeling all that well lately," Jake said. He blushed suddenly, like he wasn't

his shoulder. "It is okay to care about her and worry

know. I just think she'd feel better getting

to see her. I'm just

care, and who knows what

the invitation I was hoping for, and there was no way I'd let the opportunity pass.

his voice as if he was worried that his Alpha would hear him. I glanced at Theo, who wasn't pay-

to see Brook and to help with Warren. As long as I wasn't going back for Theo, Lady Nita couldn't say

bit nervous when we got into the

me and asked me to stay be- hind? I would

mind, I was

door for a couple of seconds, he didn't say anything or do anything else before sitting down next to me. My

me

I felt energetic and in

be able to get rid of me at this point, so I turned

I checked his pulse. Some- times, he was so still that I was afraid he

at War- ren sometimes and then looked out

first, I was simply happy to be with him, but after more than an hour, it was still

think Warren will be alright?" I asked, even though in this case, we both had exactly the same amount of information, and his answer wouldn't be wiser than what I'd already know.

"Yes."

hope so too."

King

but we'll figure out a way to

"How?"

"Don't know yet."

conversation wasn't Prince

seen Brook in so long," I changed

grunted in response.

a bit under the weather. He thinks seeing me will help cheer her up. I'd like to be there for

that," Theo said absently.

with Warren, too. It won't be easy looking after him while you figure out what to do."

Theo just nodded.

back to the palace to help two friends,"

an eyebrow at me

right, I admitted it, sitting in awkward silence was probably

a sense of what he was feeling about me, but at this rate, I was simply happy that he didn't

majestic front gates, I felt it had been ages since

settled down in his room within twenty

noticed that he stood up and was walking toward the door. "Where are you

eye, "I'm going to see the king. I have my men here, they'll only listen to you, so most people in the palace

the least I could do. Good

By the way, Brook should be here soon."

away as I said a prayer to the Moon Goddess.

after that,

so much!" she

immediately

heard

the bed, she bounced on the balls of her feet and let out a high- pitched cry, "Your Highness! Oh no, Prince

Theo's men said,

allowed, and those unruly women are?" She point- ed

from Prince Theo. If you continue this

and the guard grabbed her arm.

she want?

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