57. These Limits

ROYCE.

The alarm goes off. Hitting snooze, I place my arm over my eyes. For once, I didn't want to get out

of bed.

It had been a long night...

A dull ache from overthinking has formed at the front of my head, but I still had no answers.

We had gotten back late. I was able to get Charlotte to her room without anyone stopping us and

told her to shower, so no one's scent remained on us.

I couldn't risk Dad finding out who we had run into. After showering, I had tested Skyla’s blood

before turning in. Something about the entire thing has me on edge and that had ended up taking

far longer than I had thought it would.

The Arden’s have a variety of unique drugs at our disposal, mainly created by Dad, and several don't

even show in the blood if tested, and the only way to bring these out was if we used specific

antigens that work against the initial drug.

After three hours of testing and scrutinising her blood, I was almost ready to give up and put it

down to my paranoia. Then I tried for Solara XI 5, something that Aleric had been working on a few

years back.

It's the only Arden drug I didn't test it for. I didn't have the latest formula, but I knew enough of the

components since I had helped him with it, and to my surprise, it had shown positive.

Why Aleric would give Skyla this drug baffled me. The Solara XI 5 was harmless and held no real

reasoning. Aleric was adamant that it will help open the doors to so much more in the future, but it

did nothing.

Nothing that I know of anyway, and it had just been a last resort just to ease my mind, but I had not

expected it to show positive.

It was a project that I had thought he had scrapped, but for him to still be working on it...

What exactly is the purpose of it and by giving it to her, what was he trying to achieve? It does

nothing, aside from the slight side-effect of feeling tired. You don't forget anything, and you stay

aware, so there is nothing...

So, what exactly is he up to, or does the drug serve a purpose I don't know of?

I need to see if I can get a hand on the new version of the serum. Does it now have another

purpose?

Aleric wouldn't do something for no reason... but the fact it was in her system showed he was up to

something.

The beeping of the alarm going off again makes me growl.

“Alright, I'm up!” I sigh as I reach over and slam it off.

Groaning, I swing my legs onto the floor and rest my elbows on my knees, running my hand

through my hair.

Never has waking up felt so hard... I glance at the time. It's 7:05 AM.

No wonder... forty minutes is far from enough.

I'll take the day off today and I'll stop by to visit Sky too...

The memory of that kiss we shared returns and a wave of pleasure rushes through me as I replay it

in my mind. I want a taste of that again, of her...

And then there's her dad, whose decision I would wait on.

Standing up, I head over to my wardrobe and take out black pants, a white T-shirt, and a long black

cardigan. I wash up and get dressed quickly, tying my hair back in a pony and putting on two

necklaces and black boots.

Pushing the sleeves of my cardigan up, I look in the mirror at my reflection for a second before I

grab my phone, keys and wallet. I'll check up on Charlotte before I head to the shop to pick up a

few items for Skyla.

I look down at my phone, unlocking it, I go into my settings and change the wallpaper to my unlock

screen, smiling faintly as I admire the sizzling image. An image I had removed shortly after finding

out who she was...

The picture of her covering her breasts as she posed on the bed, showing off her sexy tattoo. Damn,

she was an entirely next level of sizzling hot. The doll knows how to turn the heat up...

My eyes rake over the curve of her waist and hips before I lock the phone and slip it into my pocket.

Leaving my room, I walk down the hall to Charlotte's room, knocking on the door that is half open,

and poke my head inside.

“Morning,” I say, spotting Charlotte still in bed, her arms crossed as she lies in bed in her pink satin

pyjamas, her eye mask is on her forehead as Mom sits at the edge of the bed, caressing her hair.

She's clearly upset about something.

Charlotte doesn't reply as Mom smiles at me.

“Good morning Royce!” She responds, looking back at Charlotte.

I walk over to the bed, kissing Mom's forehead before planting a kiss on top of Charlotte's head.

"So what's the cause behind you acting like a diva?” I ask, raising my eyebrows at her.

“Dad grounded me.” She says bitterly, “He took away my phone, and my internet.”

For what?

My mock amusement fades as I frown and look at Mom. “Did you try to speak to him? It was I who

took Charlotte out. If he has a problem, he should take it up with me.” I say coldly.

She frowns. “I did try to talk to him, Royce. You know how he gets.”

“Then try harder, Mom.” I say quietly, feeling dreadful for saying that, but for someone who lives

with him day and night, does she not see when he’s in the wrong?

“Royce...” Mom sounds hurt and shocked.

“I'm sorry, but he does get away with doing whatever he wants all the bloody time, and frankly, I

have had enough.” I say. “I'm heading out, I'll pick up some books for you.” I add to Charlotte.

If things get worse, I'm going to have to do something.

She liked reading. Although Dad prefers her to read nonfiction and educational books, she is a fan

of fantasy novels.

“Perfect!” She says.

My eyes meet Mom's, and she smiles slightly, but she’s trying to hide the fact that my words hurt

her and as much as I wanted to walk out of these places for good, I can't. Because Mom and

Charlotte need me.

I crouch down beside the bed and take Mom's hands in mine, caressing her knuckles gently as I

look up into her beautiful eyes.

“I'm tired of living under his dictatorship Mom, I'm tired of the way he treats Charlotte... and... deep

down you know that things do need to change around here... I say through the mind link.

“Royce, your father loves you. He can be a little harsh when it comes to etiquette and rules, but try

to not be so hard on him." She says, trying to make me understand.

One day, the veil will be lifted from her eyes and she will see Dad for who he truly is...

“But he's crossed certain limits that never should have been crossed. I dealt with it mom, for years,

I've put up with everything he has done. Things you know of and far more things that you don't, but

when it begins to affect those that I love... that's my limit." I say. I kiss her hands gently.

I know my words are harsh, but this is where I draw the line.

“What do you mean by things he has done that I don't know of?" She asks, frowning.

I stay silent for a moment before standing up. “When the time is right, I will tell you everything."

She frowns, but nods. “Alright, I'm leaving. I'll be back late.” I say, glancing at my watch.

“You aren't going to work today?” Charlotte smirks.

I cock a brow. “None of your business.” I say with a small smirk.

"Ooo I know where you're going... check you out, lover boy!” She giggles.

Mom's head perks up in surprise.

“What does she mean?”

“Nothing.” I say, giving Charlotte a pointed look.

"Yeah right, the way you two looked at-"

I place a finger to my lips, and she glances at the open door, realising it isn't safe.

Mom also seems to understand, and neither of them says more.

Ill be waiting to learn more.” She says through the link.

I nod.

“Do you ladies need anything from the shops? I'll be stopping down there?”

"My books!” Charlotte says.

“Nothing at all, Thank you, Sweetheart.” Mom smiles before I head out of the room.

I know Dad will probably want to talk to me. After all, yesterday I did display more powers than I

should have... but right now I don't even want to face him. I go around the staff quarters before I

slip outside, mind linking the valet to have my car ready.

“Beta Quade.’ I call through the link.

The pack house was a few miles from the mansion but still within mind link range.

“Alpha Royce, what an honour. How are you?’

I'm great, thank you. Is it alright if I can have a word with you later tonight?’ I ask.

“Well, I am heading out on business, but I will be back next week. Is it urgent? I can stop by now?"

I glance at my watch again. “No, not at all. Next week is fine. Have a good trip, Beta.’

“Thank you, Alpha Royce. Have a good day.

I end the link as I get into my car. There's no point in rushing things. I will talk to him properly when

he returns.

Two hours later, I have parked up outside the Luminaria Pack Hospital, and glance at the two black

gift bags and box that sit on the passenger side.

Too corny?

I lift the lid off the large round box, looking at the roses.

Yes, maybe a bit much.

Too late now Royce...

A knock on my window makes me turn and I roll the window down and come face to face with the

King himself.

His eyebrow shoots up as he glances at the items on the passenger side before he scoffs and takes

a puff on his cigarette

“Now I know you came here trying to be Prince Charming or some shit, but how about we finish

that conversation first, and I make my decision?”

I cock my own eyebrow.

“Sure, I'd actually prefer to get it over with.” I say.

Reaching over, I pick up the boxes placing them in the back. “We can talk in the car?” I offer.

He narrows his eyes.

“You don’t find me fucking intimidating, do you?”

“Not at all.” I reply, looking him square in the eyes.

A cold smirk crosses his lips.

"We'll see if that changes...” He says, his eyes glinting dangerously.

I don't know what man has to have this conversation from the start with his girl's family, but I guess

the fact that she’s the Lycan King's daughter changes all that.

“Now get out of the car. We're going to do this my way.” He adds.

"And what way is that?" I ask as he steps back, and I get out of the car.

A grin crosses his face as he cracks his knuckles. “Like real men, let's spar, pretty boy.”