Stay!

LORRY SPRINGSTONE'S / KELLY THOMPSON'S POV

When the majordomo Tina escorts me to the obviously renovated guest room of the palace, Jason's words kept echoing in my mind, their true meaning unclear.

I settle into the lavish shelter, my mind races with conflicting emotions. The opulent surroundings are really a stark contrast to the quite simple life I've led for the past six years, and I can't help but feel out of place. This turns out indeed to be a life so foreign to me now.

Anyway, that's not why I am here. So I leave my personal feelings aside and stop the contemplation of the luxuries of my room. I unpack right away my medical equipment and set up a makeshift lab on the ornate writing desk. Then I begin the medical analysis of my patient's samples although it's already quite late.

And as I am examining the first elements, my thoughts keep drifting back to the frail crown prince in the royal chamber. Could he really be my son Eden? The timeline fits, but he looks so different from the robust pup I left behind.

Suddenly, a soft knock at the door interrupts my musings. I wonder who could it possibly be because I thought I was going to be unbothered until the next morning. Anyway, I was brought here for a perilous mission: save a chronically ill child. Maybe that is the reason why I am disturbed, I guess.

Therefore, abiding unwaveringly by my professional ethics, I halt for a moment my work. I hence get off my chair and rush to open the egress just to discover that the visitor is no one else than the head housemaid Tina who displays a serious look.

"Doctor Springstone, His Majesty requests your presence in the royal chamber without any further ado," she says with emphasis and gravity.

"The young heir is awake and asking for you," she then adds with a sign of anxiety.

I sense the emergency and with no questions I follow Tina through the winding palace corridors, my heart pounding with a mixture of anticipation and dread. As we approach the royal chamber, I can hear the faint sound of a child's whimpers.

We enter the dimly lit room to find Jason pacing anxiously beside the bed, while the young prince tosses restlessly beneath the covers. His small face is flushed with fever, and his eyes are bright with unshed tears.

"Doctor, thank the Moon Goddess you're back here," Jason says, his voice marked with worry.

"Eden woke up calling for you. He is complaining that his stomach hurts terribly," my ex-mate explains, calling his son Eden just like my Eden for the first time and sending a shiver down my spine.

I hasten to the bedside, my professional mask firmly in place despite the turmoil in my heart.

"Hello, little one," I say softly, placing a gentle hand on the child's forehead.

"Can you tell me where it's aching?" I hence ask as Eden's eyes that are so strikingly familiar, lock onto mine.

"Here," he whimpers, placing a small hand on his lower abdomen.

I reply reassuringly: "I'm going to examine you, okay? It might be a little uncomfortable, but I'll be as gentle as I can."

As I begin my examination, I can feel Jason's anxious gaze boring into me. I try to focus solely on Eden, noting the rigidity in his abdomen and the way he flinches at even the lightest touch.

"Has he vomited at all?" I inquire, glancing up at Jason and Tina.

Tina nods before giving her statement: "Twice in the last hour, doctor."

I frown, my mind racing through possible diagnoses.

"I need to run some blood tests immediately," I say, reaching for my medical bag.

"And we should start him on intravenous fluids to prevent dehydration," I then recommend.

As I prepare to draw blood from Eden's small arm, I notice Jason hovering with too much agitation nearby.

"Your Majesty," I say gently, "perhaps it would be best if you stepped out for a moment. This might be difficult for Eden, and—"

"No," Jason interrupts firmly. "I won't leave him."

I nod, understanding the fierce protectiveness in his eyes. As I insert the needle, Eden whimpers softly, and Jason is instantly at his side, stroking his hair and murmuring words of comfort.

"You're so brave, my little warrior," Jason mumbles, his voice thick with emotion.

"Just like your mother," he thereafter stresses out.

My hand trembles slightly at his words, but I manage to steady myself and complete the blood draw. As I apply a small bandage to Eden's arm, I'm struck by the tenderness in Jason's eyes as he gazes at his son. It's a side of him I never saw during our marriage, and it both warms and pains my heart.

"There, all done," I say softly to Eden, giving his hand a gentle squeeze. "You were so brave," I add while warmly holding his left hand.

Eden flashes a weak smile albeit his obvious fatigue.

"Thank you, Doctor Lorry," he whispers.

"You're nice like Daddy said and I really like you, especially because your eyes are brown like mine," the kid then spontaneously confides.

I am in total awe at his words and commit myself for his recovery.

"I'm going to do everything I can to help you feel better," I promise him, my voice tinged with emotion.

As I prepare to take the blood samples to my makeshift lab, the Alpha King Jason catches out of the blue my arm.

"Doctor," he says, his voice low and urgent, "please... tell me honestly. How serious is this?"

I meet his gaze, seeing the fear and vulnerability in his eyes and tries to appease him with a hopeful statement.

"I won't lie to you, Your Majesty. The prince's condition is serious, but I've seen cases like this before. With proper treatment, there's a good chance we can help him recover. I'll need to run these tests immediately to determine the best course of action."

Jason nods, his shoulders sagging slightly with relief.

"Thank you, Doctor. I... I don't know what I'd do if..." He trails off, unable to finish the thought.

I place a reassuring hand on his arm, forgetting for a moment the complex history between us.

"You won't lose him," I say firmly.

"I promise you, I'll do everything in my power to make him well again."

For a moment, our eyes lock, and I see a flicker of something - recognition, perhaps? - in Jason's gaze. But then it's gone, replaced by gratitude and determination.

"You should stay," he then surprisingly declares.

I freeze, caught off guard by the Alpha King's unexpected words.

"Stay?" I repeat, my voice barely above a whisper.

Jason nods, his eyes never leaving mine.

"Yes, Doctor Springstone. I... I think it would be best if you remained here at the palace while treating Eden. He seems to have taken a liking to you, and I believe your constant presence would be beneficial to his recovery."

My mind races, trying to process this sudden turn of events. Staying here, in such close proximity to my past, to the child who may be my son... it's both thrilling and terrifying.

"Your Majesty, I..." I begin, unsure of how to respond.

"Please," Jason interrupts, his voice softer now.

"I know it's a lot to ask, but Eden needs you. I... in fact, we all need you," he points out.

I glance over at the bed where Eden has finally drifted off to sleep, his small face peaceful for the first time since I arrived. The sight of him tugs at my heart, and I know in that moment that I can't refuse.

"Of course, Your Majesty," I say softly.

"I'll stay as long as Eden needs me," I then assert.

Relief washes over Jason's face.

"Thank you, Doctor. I'll have Tina prepare permanent quarters for you immediately."

As the South pack's ruler turns to give instructions to his chief servant, I allow myself a moment to truly absorb the gravity of my decision. By agreeing to stay, I'm opening myself up to a world of complications and potential heartbreak. But looking at Eden's sleeping form, I know I have no choice. Whatever the consequences, I have to undertake everything in my power to save this child - my own child maybe.