Surrogate for the Alpha Prince in a Coma novel Chapter 264

Chapter 264

Lillian’s POV

Ophelia made us some coffee, and we sat up until Grayson returned. He wore a dire expression that didn’t soften as I placed some hot coffee into his hand.

“You came back empty handed,” Ophelia said.

“The body was gone,” Grayson replied. “Someone had been there, and they took efforts to hide their scent. I took extra time to ensure that the path back here was well hidden.”

“Thank you,” Ophelia said.

“You don’t seem surprised the body is gone,” I said, noting Ophelia’s unchanging expression.

“These people are not messing around,” Ophelia said. “They will make things as difficult as possible to prove. I do apologize, though. Perhaps I should have taken the body when I left.”

“No,” Grayson said. “You’re first instinct was to protect the children, and that was the correct move.”

“Yes,” I agreed. “If anything happened to the children, then…” I couldn’t even finish that thought. But if I had lost them, nothing would have mattered to me anymore. I was certain I would have gone feral.

Grayson, as if sensing my distress, moved closer to me. He did not touch me, but with as close as he was, I could feel his warmth and his strength. Both brought me comfort.

The children were sleeping in the next room. They were safe, thanks to Ophelia. We didn’t have the proof we needed to accuse those we thought might be responsible, but we would have other chances. We knew to be alert.

“If you want to rest with the children, I will stay awake,” Grayson told me.

“No,” I said. “I don’t think I could sleep even if I wanted to.” I was far too wired. In this moment, I wondered if I would ever be able to sleep again.

“You are welcome and safe here,” Ophelia said. She gestured toward the couch and the kitchen. “Please don’t hesitate to make yourself at home.”

Grayson and I moved toward the couch. We sat there, side by side, as Ophelia walked around, cleaning her kitchen and performing other tasks. I drank my coffee, allowing it to warm me from the inside out. At the same time, I leaned into Grayson, who sat stoic beside me. He was like my lighthouse in the storm.

I kept remembering how Ophelia said he still loved me. If even others could see it…

We didn’t say much, just sat beside each other, yet it was never awkward. The moment was comfortable, and I wished we had done this under any other circumstance.

“I don’t like that the kids are in danger,” I whispered. “If they return to the palace…”

“I’m already making plans,” Grayson said. “I ask you to trust me.”

Even with all of our problems, I did trust Grayson, especially when it came to his desire to protect us.

But with dangers around every corner…

I still wasn’t sure what to do, what was best for the kids.

We sat like that for a while. I wasn’t sure if I dozed off or not. I didn’t feel like I had gained any sleep but time

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seemed to move erratically, quicker than it should have if I had been awake.

st as the morning light started to creep in through the windows, I heard the children rousing. Then, Alex screamed.

I was on my feet in an instant and rushing into their room. Grayson was right behind me.

Alex was sitting upright in bed, crying. Madison was beside him, hugging him around the shoulders, even as tears streamed down her eyes as well. I rushed toward them at once, taking both of them into my arms. We all held onto

each other.

“It’s okay,” I whispered to them. “You are safe now. We’re all safe.”

Grayson was there too, standing beside us, his hands clenched into fists like he wanted to reach for us but was holding himself back.

I gave him a look, letting him know with my eyes that it was okay, that we wanted him here. He was welcome and needed.

He saw that approval and moved at once, wrapping his arms around both me and the children. We leaned into him, finding warmth and comfort there.

“I will protect you,” he said, and though that stoked fear inside of me, not wanting him to be hurt, the children found peace. It took a while, but eventually everyone stopped sobbing. Some tears continued, but they were quieter, like a leaky faucet that simply couldn’t be turned off.

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