49

With some of the warriors standing guard around the mansion and the office. I look around for anything that could help me. I had no clue how to run a pack on my own. It was too much and I was already stressed as it is. The Beta and Gamma offered their help when I told them about my current situation. While they controlled the pack from the outside of the mansion, I controlled it from the inside. Tying up any lose ends that Max might have left and returning emails that explained his situation. Of course everyone knows what is going on but it isn't professional leaving emails unanswered for so long.

I sigh and lean back in the office chair, basking in the scent of my mate that clings to the chair. I should probably go see him, but I don't know what it's like at the hospital right now. I don't want to get in the way.

"Luna," I soft knock comes followed by Ryder speaking softly.

"Beta Ryder, what have you found," I ask.

"We have found the assassin."

I grin. "Wonderful, and where is he now?"

"He has been taken into custody and is being brought here as we speak."

"Good, give the person their reward who found him. Also, how is Max?"

"I was just about to go and see him. I was curious if you'd like to join me?"

I nod and rise from the desk. "I'd love to."

As much as I wanted to visit Max, I was so scared to see what he looks like. I just hope this isn't the last time I see him alive. I wouldn't want to remember him like this, laid up, unconscious, and severely wounded.

I load up into Ryder's truck and he drives is to the hospital where Maxwell is staying. It's a little bit of a drive, but it's the best hospital in the pack and if anyone can save him, it's them. They have the technology and resources to do so.

Forty five minutes later we finally pull up the hospital and park. Although we kicked the reporters out from other packs, we still have ours and they tortured us the entire time in. Swarming to us like a moth to a flame. It made me claustrophobic with how close they were to us. I could barely make a full step and hospital guards had to clear us a walk way.

All the questions gave me headache, none stop, and coming from every direction.

The hospital staff greets us and silently shows us to Max's room. I hate the sterilized scent of hospitals, it makes me sick and at unease with this situation.

"He's in here," the nurse speaks softly.

"Thank you," I respond and open the door.

There lays my mate hooked up to all kinds of machines and covered in wounds that were wrapped. My heart broke.

I pull up a seat to the bed side, as does Ryder.

"Oh, I wasn't expecting him to have visitors today," the doctor tells as he enters the room.

"Sorry we didn't inform you," Ryder tells with an eye roll.

"My Queen, the King is slowly making progress. Yet, we do not if or when he'll wake up."

"If?"

"Sadly, that is a possible outcome. With the severity of his wounds he may not make it. I'm sorry, my Queen."

I sit there with my mouth hanging open. "How is his progress?"

"His wounds are healing. We are much more concerned about his eye healing properly more than anything. We thought we almost lost him, well we almost did until you returned to the pack territory. Since then his condition has been stable and improving."

"Almost lost him?"

He nods. "You see he went in for surgery and we found said silver bullet lodged in his back, but it was coated in a poison made specifically to bring down the strongest of Alphas'. Do not worry, the bullet didn't puncture anything important."

What a relief.

"We had to force him to shift or else he would've died if he remained in his wolf form. His wolf was wounded the worst, he is also healing. Both are healing well, but it will be time until he awakens."

"Thank you, doctor," I mumble.

"If there is anything else you need just ring, until then I have to see to my other patients."

"Hold on, is there any chance I can set up an office in here? I want to be here when he wakes up."

He looks at the nurse who is nodding. "There is more than enough room, I'd be happy to help you set up," she tells.

"Thank you."

The days to follow were quite trying. Ryder and my father have been really helpful. The assassin was taken into custody and also put into the prison. He was placed on the same high alert as Desmond, but on a completely different side so they couldn't communicate.

"Your majesty, the prisoner has awoken. You said you wanted to speak with him once he woke up," Ryder tells.

"Wonderful," I say as I get up from my chair.

Ryder looks at his best friend and he frowns. "How is he?"

"He's been doing good. He is improving. His wolf is active the doctor said that is good. He is on track to possibly waking up soon if his wolf is awake and communicating with me."

"I'm happy to hear his condition is improving. I hate seeing him laid up, it is unlike him."

"I know. It's hard to look at him like this. I don't want to leave him. I'm afraid if I leave him, he'll wake up."

"Don't worry. He'll understand. He'll be proud of you once he wakes up seeing the amount of work you've taken on. Not to mention you are holding the pack together during this rough time. He'll be proud seeing you take this roll seriously."

"I hope, I'm demanding a vacation once he is able to work. I've done enough work for a life time."

Ryder chuckles and leads me out of the hospital and to the prison. Down a long hallway and to a staircase where the most dangerous and worst are kept. Like Desmond and his hired assassin.

I was making my rounds and stopped at Desmond's cell first. He'll be executed tomorrow morning along side the assassin.

Once I arrive at Desmond's cell, he smirks when he sees I'm standing before him.

"Ah, my lovely mate, what can I do for you," He asks.

"You will address me by your majesty or Queen Natalie as I am not your mate, therefore you do not have the privilege to call me your mate. If you fail to address me as such you'll face the consequences. Am I clear?"

"Crystal, my love."

I only shake my head a crouch down so I can talk to him. "You'll die tomorrow."

"And so will you once Maxwell dies, you won't be able to handle his death."

"I hate to break it you, but Max won't be dying anytime soon. Tomorrow morning the assassin and yourself will just see the morning sun. You will die and you can't sweet talk yourself out of it."

"I won't be dying tomorrow morning, I am the King!"

"You are delusional, you are not the King as Maxwell is not dead and you cheated. Therefore you aren't the King because you broke the rules and attempted to kill the King. The werewolf population wouldn't have accepted you anyways. You know how we are, you cheated so they won't follow you. If you won fairly, that'd be different, but you didn't."

He laughs.

"I hope you rot in the deepest and hottest part of the afterlife where you'll suffer for all eternity with your mate, who may I add rejected you."

A low snarl leaves his lips, breaking the facade of a strong Alpha he put up. I can see right through that mask and tear it down within seconds. I am not in the mood for games right now. I wish I could kill him right now, but I want the entire world to see me out an end to this monster. To show I am fit to be queen and the monarchy is no one to mess with.

"I hope you enjoy your last day on earth. Oh wait, you can't. You are locked up in the cell you've been locked up in for the past month."

He snarls once again as I leave his cell, yeah that's gonna scare me. I follow Ryder down the other end where the assassin's cell is. He was a tall and well built man who was as pale as a piece of paper. He had an abnormal hair color with hazel eyes and scares all over the exposed skin.

"Your name," I bark.

He raises his head slowly and his eyes widen. "Damn, so you're the Queen," he murmurs and whistles.

"I am and I am demanding you give me your name."

"Sorry, your Majesty, but I can't do that."

"You can and you will. Your Queen is ordering you."

"How's the hubby? Still kicking? I was aiming for the heart but he moved and it went into his back," he remembers. "Have they found an antidote for it?"

"They have and yes, he's alive. In fact he should be waking up soon, so your job was a failure."

He chuckles. "Damn what a shame. You are a beautiful young lady and doesn't deserve to be tied to such a family."

"Look, I don't respect your tone and I am not here to be hit on. I am here ordering you and you are refusing to answer my questions."

He slides over to the bars and bears his canines. "Look here, queenie, I answer to no one. My job was to kill your husband. I failed. So what? I just won't get paid, but it brings me pride in knowing I injured him."

I smirk and get in his face as well, "you know what else? Tomorrow you'll be killed. You'll just see the sun peak over the horizon before you are executed for your crimes."