Irina’s POV

My arm hurt.

That was the first thing I noticed when consciousness crept back in. A dull, persistent ache that radiated from the crook of my elbow up to my shoulder.

I tried to shift. To relieve the pressure.

My body wouldn’t cooperate. Everything felt heavy. Disconnected.

Like I was wrapped in wet blankets.

I forced my eyes open. Blinked against the dim light.

The room came into focus slowly. Still the same bedroom. Still the palace.

Not a dream, then.

I turned my head slightly. Looked down at my arm.

An IV line. Clear tubing ran from my elbow to a bag hanging beside the bed.

Right. The vomiting. The pain. The doctor.

How long had I been asleep?

My other arm was pinned beneath me. Completely numb. Tingling with that awful pins-and-needles sensation.

I needed to move. To shift my weight.

But the IV made it awkward. I’d have to roll carefully. Make sure not to pull the line out.

I started to push myself up. Slowly. Carefully.

Then I froze.

There was someone in the bed with me.

My heart stopped. Actually stopped for a full second before slamming back into motion.

I turned my head. Barely breathing.

He was there.

Nicolas. The alpha king.

Lying on top of the covers beside me. Still fully dressed in his white shirt and dark pants.

One arm thrown over his eyes. His chest rising and falling in the slow, steady rhythm of sleep.

My entire body went rigid.

What was he doing here? Why was he—?

He shifted slightly. The arm over his eyes moved. Just a fraction.

I didn’t dare breathe.

My heart hammered so loud I was sure it would wake him. The sound filled my ears like drums.

*Move,* I told myself. *Get up. Get away.*

But I couldn’t.

Because if I moved, he’d wake up. And then—

And then what?

I didn’t know. Couldn’t predict.

All I knew was that having him this close made my skin feel too tight. Made the mate bond hum and pull and demand.

*Closer,* it whispered. *He’s ours. We need him closer.*

No. I didn’t need anything.

I just needed to not wake him up.

I lay there. Perfectly still. Barely breathing.

The IV tubing dug into my arm. My shoulder screamed from the awkward angle.

Minutes crawled by. Each one felt like an hour.

My neck started to cramp. My back ached. The numb arm beneath me had progressed past pins-and-needles into complete deadness.

I had to move. Had to.

Just a small shift. Maybe roll onto my back. Relieve some of the pressure.

I started to ease my weight to the side. Slow. Careful.

The bed creaked.

I froze.

Nicolas stirred.

His arm dropped from his eyes. His breathing changed—became lighter, less deep.

I squeezed my eyes shut. Hard.

Maybe if I pretended to be asleep, he’d just... leave. Go back to sleep. Something.

I forced my breathing to slow. Made it deep and even. Like I was unconscious.

The mate bond pulled harder. Insistent.

I could feel him. Feel his awareness sharpening. Feel the exact moment he woke up fully.

My heart betrayed me. Started pounding even faster.

Thud-thud-thud-thud.

Like a drum. Like thunder. Like it was trying to escape my chest.

A low sound came from beside me. Quiet. Amused.

"Stop pretending."

His voice cut through the darkness. Rough with sleep. But alert.

I kept my eyes closed. Didn’t move.

"I can hear your heartbeat," he continued. His tone was almost... playful? "Sounds like you’re trying to drum your way out of your ribcage."

Heat flooded my face.

I opened my eyes slowly.

And found him right there.

So close.

He’d shifted. Rolled onto his side. Propped his head up on one hand.

Looking at me.

Those forest green eyes locked onto mine. Intense. Burning.

My breath caught.

The dim light from the window caught his features. Sharp cheekbones. Strong jaw shadowed with dark stubble. That mouth—perfectly shaped, neither cruel nor soft.

And his eyes.

They held me pinned. Like a butterfly on a board.

The mate bond surged. Hot and demanding.

*Kiss him,* it screamed. *Touch him. He’s OURS.*

Every nerve ending lit up with awareness of him. His scent wrapped around me—pine and smoke and something darker that made my wolf whimper.

I couldn’t speak. Couldn’t think.

Could only stare at him like an idiot.

He shifted closer. Just an inch. Maybe two.

The space between us felt electric. Charged.

"How are you feeling?" His voice was lower now. Softer.

"I—" My voice came out as a croak. "Fine."

"Liar."

His fingers brushed my forehead. Gentle. Testing for fever.

The touch sent electricity racing down my spine. Made my skin burn.

I stopped breathing.

He pulled his hand back. But didn’t move away.

"You scared me," he said quietly. "When Sofia said you were sick."

Nicolas leaned closer.

His face filled my vision. Those green eyes. That mouth.

So close I could feel his breath against my lips.

"Irina," he murmured.

My name on his lips did something to me. Made my heart stutter. Made my entire body ache.

He was going to kiss me.

He moved. Bridged the final gap between us.

His lips touched mine.

Soft. Gentle. Nothing like I expected.

The mate bond exploded. White-hot pleasure raced through every nerve.

My body responded before my brain could catch up. Arched toward him. Seeking more.

*Yes yes yes YES—*

Then another image crashed through the pleasure.

Maxim.

His mouth on my neck. His hands on my body. His weight pinning me down.

*You’re mine, Irina. Say you’re mine.*

Terror flooded through me. Cold. Paralyzing.

"No." The word ripped from my throat.

I shoved at Nicolas’s chest. Hard.

He didn’t move. Didn’t pull back.

Just looked at me with those burning eyes.

His expression shifted. Something dark flickered across his features.

"No?" His voice dropped. Dangerous. "You’re saying no to me? Your mate?"

He moved. Fast. Too fast.

Suddenly I was on my back. My wrists pinned above my head.

His body pressed against mine. Heavy. Overwhelming.

His mouth crashed down on mine.

Not gentle this time. Demanding. Claiming.

His tongue pushed past my lips. Invaded. Took.

One hand held both my wrists. The other slid into my hair. Tilted my head back.

The kiss deepened. Became rougher.

I couldn’t breathe. Couldn’t think.

Could only feel—

His mouth on mine. His body against mine. The mate bond screaming in confusion and terror and unwanted pleasure.

My heart hammered. Too fast. Too hard.

The room started to spin—