Ethan

This is crazy, you know that?” Linda asks, watching as the doctors fit the braces onto my lower body.

“Linda, if you’re not going to be supportive, you might as well as go back to your palace.” I tell her coolly. Eric was released a few days ago and the couple is slowly settling into their life as the new King and Queen. They’re planning a mating ceremony and a coronation, as well as trying to launch an emergency PR campaign to get the Kingdom up to speed on the changes in governance and conduct outreach to those citizens in need. Still, Linda visits me every day and though she’s not always the most supportive of guests, it does feel nice to have at least one person who knows what I’m going through.

I’m sorry, I’m not trying to be unsupportive.”

She replies contritely. “I just think this plan of yours is a recipe for disaster, I mean what’s going to happen when people find out.”

“If you have a better solution I’d love to hear it.”

I gripe, “And they’re not going to find out.”

They will eventually.” She reasons, “when it’s all over the truth is going to come out.”

“Im going to do my best to ensure that doesn’t happen.” I sigh. “We’ll come up with another story, a sudden illness or something. No one ever has to know about the deceit.”

“Ethan, I wish you would reconsider telling Jane and the pups.” Linda says, for the thousandth time.

Linda, we’ve been over this, and I know it’s difficult for you to keep this from her, but you know it’s for the best.” I argue. I just hope you’ll encourage her to find a new mate after I’m gone.” My wolf howls at the very idea, and I admit that the idea of another man going near my beloved mate makes me apoplectic, but I want her life to be happy. I want her to be loved, and I want my pups to have a father figure if I can’t be there for them.

I know this isn’t what you want to hear,” Linda begins carefully, “but I think you pretty much ruined the chances of that happening. You know how hard it was for her to trust you, to let herself be vulnerable with you again, and then you rejected her. She was traumatized enough after your marriage ended, I don’t think there’s any coming back from this.”

if she was right. Am I being punished for wrongs I committed in the past? Is this my repayment for stealing her agency when we were married? It doesn’t seem fair. After all,

her other men aren’t

Ethan. She’s only ever wanted you, and you destroyed her.” Linda proclaims sadly. “And I understand you’re trying to protect

just wish it didn’t have

scientists around me flinch. Linda looks mildly shell-shocked, and

isn’t what you want either.” Linda apologizes, shaking her head and looking as

researchers interjects, you’re all strapped in. The system works through these transmitters we’re pưtting

move your hands and then the system will

is surging upwards. It’s the strangest sensation, I feel completely disconnected from my lower half. I sway in place for a moment, and

The scientist informs me. “Obviously you can’t feel the floor, so it’s going to take

reach my arms out to my sides to try and regain my equilibrium,

swing one hand forward – slowly – like you might if you

my other hand now, and before long I’m walking around the room in my hospital gown. Granted I’m walking with the ungainly grace

incredible.'” I express, looking to the scientists in awe. “I can’t believe

mean in terms of robotics it’s actually incredibly simple.” The researcher from the think tank smiles. You should see the things AI is capable of these days – this is just a couple of basic

it’s life changing.” I state honestly. This is exactly what I

before heading home.” Linda observes, ‘but once you’ve got normal clothes on and everything, no one would

It’s even silent.

haven’t had any good news in a while now, and I wasn’t sure that there would be any way to

it would fail spectacularly. I can’t express how

but you have to remove them to bathe. Do you have someone at home who can

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