Tears rolled from the sides of my eyes as I placed my head on the top of the couch, feeling utterly vulnerable. The bright light from the ophthalmoscope used by the man examining me, wasn't helping. It added to my uneasiness.
Alexander stood nearby, watching the man's every movement like a predator stalking its prey. Even though the man's touch was professional, Alexander's eyes darkened with each motion, a clear warning that his wolf wasn't pleased.
When the examination of my pupils was done, the doctor urged me to raise my head, and Alexander took his place beside me like a possessed man.
"She'll be fine, your highness," he said softly, his professional tone barely masking the intimidation in his voice.
Alexander's attention was on me all while the doctor spoke. He brushed away the tears from my cheeks before asking, "What happened to her, Pike?"
"I've examined the meal, your highness," he pushed his glasses up his nose, "From the examination, it seems she's allergic to shellfish. The meal contained shrimp."
Alexander's demeanor shifted instantly, "Allergic? How could this have happened?" His voice was a dangerous growl, filled with barely restrained fury.
Pike swallowed nervously. "It must have been a mistake, your highness. If this ever happens accidentally again..." Alexander growled at the man's words, making him stutter, "W-which w-will not, but she should be given s-space to breathe, and also hydrated. It will help with the allergies."
Alexander nodded curtly.
"She'll be fine after she rests," he said and packed his bag.
Ready to leave, Alexander dismissed the doctor with a wave of his hand.
As Pike left the room, his focus returned to me. "I'm so sorry, Penelope," he murmured, "I should've been more careful."
"It's not your fault," I managed, even if I could barely talk from my still swollen tongue, "You couldn't have known."
His hand cupped my cheek, his thumb gently stroking my skin. "Nothing like this will ever happen again. I'll make sure of it."
At his final words, he stood to his feet, and eight men walked into the room, with their heads bowed. They arranged themselves in a horizontal line, facing Alexander.
They were all dressed in a chef's attire - white shirt, and a white pant with a black apron tied to their waist. While seven of them dressed this way, the eight man - the first to walk into the room, tied a white apron around his waist.
Unlike me, Alexander paid no attention to their outfits. The two steps he took toward them were enough to increase their heartbeats, and have them trembling like children.
"Everyone of you participated in preparing this evening's meal that almost got my guest killed," he turned to the man in the white apron, "How could you allow this mistake happen, Sebastian?"
The man trembled as he took a step forward, "I-i didn't know about the allergy, your highness. I'm so sorry. Please forgive me."
"You're sorry? You're asking for my forgiveness?" Alexander's eyes blazed with a dangerous fire, "Who then is supposed to pay for your crime?" He tilted his head, scrutinizing their faces. "Him, or him, or your son?" He took turns in pointing at them, and as he pointed to the man's son, he fell on his knees in tears. "You know the rules, Sebastian."
"Punish me instead, your highness. Please let my son live," he begged with tears.
"Do you think you're in a position to make demands like that to your king?" His calm words brought chills to my skin for unknown reasons.
I watched the man sob even more.
Before anyone in the room could blink, Alexander stood in front of the man's son. My eyes widened in horror as they trailed to Alexander's hand which had his claw out, now filled with blood and a still-beating heart.
He had ripped the boy's heart out of his chest.