Return of the Alpha: The Crown (Mackenzie Grey Book 12) by Karina Espinosa

Author:Karina Espinosa [Espinosa, Karina]
Language: eng
Format: epub, azw3
Published: 2021-07-29T16:00:00+00:00

16

Ten hours.

That was how long I was in labor.

I’d been tortured, beaten, and almost killed more times than I could count, but I’d never felt this kind of pain before. It didn’t feel like I was dying, exactly, but it was excruciating and debilitating all the same. It was almost as if all the pain I’d felt to that point had coalesced into one big bundle of agony.

The high-pitched cry of our son as he rushed into this world was a sound I would never forget. If only I had a chance to see him. But since he was born prematurely, he was whisked away immediately, leaving me with the fading sound of his cries until it was safe to see him.

The moments passed in a blur, and the next thing I knew I’d been transported from the infirmary back to my chambers. Bash reclined beside me, drawing circles with his finger on my arm to soothe my fragile emotions.

“Dr. Harris said you would be weak for at least a week before you regain your strength enough to shift again,” Bash whispered into the quiet room.

“I don’t care,” I whimpered. “The baby …”

“He’s still being examined, Mackenzie. We have to wait until they’re done before we can see him.” When he saw the desperation in my eyes, he hurried to add, “Don’t worry; I have Alexander watching over him.”

I curled in on myself, wincing from the movement. “Please go check on him,” I whispered.

“Mackenzie … you told me not to leave your side,” Bash replied, shocked.

“As long as he’s safe, I don’t care about me.”

Bash didn’t say anything, but he didn’t move from the bed.

I lifted my hand weakly and pulled off my MacCoinnich ring, handing it to Bash. “Go to the windowsill,” I urged quietly. “Underneath, there’s an indention in the shape of my ring. Place my ring into it; it will unlock a hidden drawer. Open it.”

Bash nodded and did as I asked. The drawer opened with a soft click. When he pulled it open, I whispered, “The gold chained necklace with the ruby pendant … take it. As soon as you can, place it on him.”

He gaped at me with startled eyes. “This is the necklace?”

I nodded slowly. “Hurry, Bash. They’ll come for him soon.”

He swallowed deeply before grabbing the necklace and shutting the drawer. Bash slid the family ring back onto my finger and kissed my forehead. “I’ll be right back, Mackenzie,” he promised. “The Queen’s Guards are just outside your door.”

I gave him a stiff smile, knowing they wouldn’t be able to help me. Bash placed the necklace in his pocket and left in a hurry. I curled on my side and slid my hand under my pillow, gripping the dagger I’d placed underneath months ago in preparation for this precise moment. I closed my eyes and drifted to sleep, taking comfort from its heft as I waited for the monster lurking outside the castle walls to make its presence known.

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