From Substitute To Queen Chapter 28

"I'm delicate." He held up one hand, examining it like it was made of spun glass. "These soft royal hands have never known hardship."

A snort of laughter escaped before I could stop it. "Your *soft royal hands* could probably bench press a truck."

"That's exactly what the criminals will think too. Then they'll be disappointed when I crumble at the first sign of trouble."

"Caelan."

"Plus..." His expression grew more serious, though amusement still danced in his eyes. "I'd like to see you work. See this part of your life."

The genuine curiosity in his voice made my resolve waver. *Why does he care about my work?*

"Fine." I threw up my hands in defeat. "But you wait in the lobby. No interfering with patient care."

His face lit up like Christmas morning. "I promise to be the most well-behaved observer you've ever had."

***

Twenty minutes later, I was behind the wheel of the Bentley while Caelan folded his large frame into the passenger seat.

"I can drive if you want," he offered, reaching for his seatbelt. "You don't need to—"

"No, it's fine. You just flew in last night." I adjusted the mirrors, avoiding his gaze. "You should rest."

"Are you worried about me?" His grin was pure mischief. "How sweet. My future queen is concerned about my wellbeing."

"Keep it up and I'll dump you on the sidewalk."

"Such violence. And here I thought doctors were supposed to 'do no harm.'"

I ignored him and pulled out of the hotel parking garage.

"So." Caelan's fingers drummed against his thigh. "How do you like the car?"

"It's fine."

"Just fine?" He pressed his hand to his chest in mock offense. "I'll have you know this vehicle has won multiple automotive awards."

"Well, it does go forward when I press the gas pedal. And it stops when I hit the brakes." I kept my expression deadpan. "The wheels are perfectly round. Very impressive engineering."

Caelan laughed – a rich sound that filled the enclosed space. "Such high praise. I'm overwhelmed by your enthusiasm."

"I'm easily impressed. Yesterday I saw a toaster that could handle two slices at once. Nearly fainted from the excitement."

"A two-slice toaster? In this economy?"

"I know. Living in the lap of luxury now."

The banter felt... easy. Natural.

Somehow the knot of tension in my chest had loosened slightly.

***

I circled twice before finding a space on the third level of the Moonridge General's parking garage.

"Busy place," Caelan observed as we walked toward the elevators.

"Surgery day prep." I pressed the button for the main floor. "Plus it's Thursday. Always hectic on Thursdays."

The elevator doors opened to reveal the familiar chaos of the hospital lobby. Patients with clipboards. Families clustered around uncomfortable chairs. The constant background hum of medical activity.

"You'll wait here." I gestured toward the seating area near the coffee kiosk. "I should be about an hour."

"I'll be right here when you get back."

"Try not to intimidate any sick people while I'm gone."

"I make no promises."

***

Gabriel William looked smaller than I remembered lying in his pre-op bed. His hair was completely white despite being only fifty, and his skin held a grayish pallor that no amount of treatment seemed to improve.

"Dr. Crawford." His face brightened when I entered. "I was hoping you'd stop by."

"How are you feeling about tomorrow?"

"Nervous." His weathered hands picked at the hospital blanket. "Been a long time since anyone cared enough to try saving this old heart."

I pulled up a chair beside his bed. "Dr. Peterson is an excellent surgeon. You're in good hands."

"It's not Dr. Peterson I'm worried about." Gabriel's eyes met mine. "Will you really be there? In the operating room?"

"I'll be assisting the entire time."

His shoulders relaxed slightly. "Good. You're the only one who ever treated me like I mattered. Like I was worth saving."

My throat tightened. "Everyone deserves good medical care, Gabriel. Your pack was wrong to cast you out."

"Maybe. But I'm grateful it led me to you."

I spent another twenty minutes reviewing his chart and answering questions. By the time I left his room, visiting hours were nearly over.

The elevator ride back to the lobby felt longer than usual. My mind was already shifting to tomorrow's surgery prep when the doors opened.

Then I saw them.

Darrell stood near the information desk, his arm wrapped protectively around Camila's waist. She leaned heavily against him, thick white bandages covering most of her head like a medical turban.

My steps faltered.

Camila spotted me first. Her green eyes sharpened with malicious satisfaction before she swayed dramatically against Darrell's side.

"Relly, I feel dizzy again."

Darrell's attention immediately focused on her. "Should I get a wheelchair?"

"I just need to sit down."

They moved toward the seating area – the same seating area where Caelan waited.

*Shit.*

I quickened my pace, but it was too late. Darrell's gaze swept across the lobby and landed on the man reading a newspaper in the corner chair.

His face went white, then flushed red.

"Is that..." His voice carried clearly across the space. "That's Lycan King Caelan Blackwood."

Every head in the lobby turned.

Caelan lowered his newspaper slowly, his blue eyes finding mine across the crowded space. His expression remained perfectly neutral, but I caught the slight tension in his shoulders.

*This is about to get very bad, very quickly.*

Camila's gaze ping-ponged between Caelan and me. "What's the Lycan King doing here?"

"Excellent question." Darrell's voice carried an edge that made my skin crawl. "What business could royalty possibly have in Moonridge General?"

Caelan folded his newspaper with deliberate precision and stood. Even across the lobby, his presence commanded attention. Conversations died. People stepped aside instinctively.

He walked toward me. His eyes stayed fixed on me, completely ignoring the couple standing nearby.

"Your Majesty!" Darrell's voice rang out across the lobby as Caelan moved to pass them. "What an unexpected honor."