Bone always knew that King was strange but this was something he never thought would happen. The two of them were going to central park; the reason unknown. King hated crowded places. So, he didn't understand what was happening right now.

It was close to seven o'clock in the evening as they walked down the street of Manhattan that was busy as always. Everyone was everywhere, there wasn't a spot that wasn't covered with a human or shifter, child, dog or food truck. Bone was overly aware of each target that was around them. This was why he preferred staying home than walking these chaotic roads. If it wasn't for King dragging him all the way out here then he wouldn't be in this mess.

"Why are we taking a walk in the busiest part of town?" Bone asked impatiently.

"Stop complaining," King retorted as he looked down at his watch.

"What are you not telling me," Bone said.

"I thought it'd be nice for you to get some fresh air," King said idly.

Bone looked around at the busy streets full of cars and the humans everywhere. "I don't like this," he mumbled. "Can I go home?"

"Not yet, I need to meet someone," King answered.

"At a park?" Bone questioned as they came around to a central park where ordinary people took walks with their loved ones or dogs. "Who could we possibly know want to meet here?"

"Trez," he replied.

Bone's eyes widened. "Why would he suggest such a thing?" he was baffled beyond words. Trez never stepped foot outside of his club unless it was for coffee and even that was rare.

King raked his dark hair. "No one knows what that man's thinking," he glowered.

"Why are we meeting him anyway?" Bone asked.

"He has intel that I need-" King took a seat on the park bench, crossing his leg at the knee- "and he's late," he mumbled irritably.

Bone stood by his side, waiting for the moment Trez Luciano showed up. This may be a strange spot for men like Trez and King to discuss work, but it wasn't impossible since no one would think to attack the best fighters out in the open, unless they had a death wish.

Everyone knew of the Luciano brothers, they were spoken about in the largest circles for being prestigious and renowned. Bone didn't care for rumours because he knew Trez and Axe himself, especially since all of them were in cage fights together and escaped together too. They were lethal in the cage and out here in the world too. They built themselves an empire that couldn't be destroyed, it was a fortress- everyone knew that.

Bone sensed a presence approaching them. He didn't move right away, instead pulled his hand out of his pocket to look at his watch only to see the reflection off the glass and see who it was. Trez arrived with a woman by his side. He was a powerful man, walked with control over each step. He had stylish black hair, that was raked back to fit the style of a gentleman but everyone knew that he was nothing short from a cold-blooded killer. He fashioned a tailored suit that was a dark grey, it fit to his muscular form and shined wealth. Bone knew where the Luciano brothers came from and it wasn't from money. Yet, in the ruthless world, Trez worked harder than anyone to get his status secured. The penetrating gaze of his blue eyes was enough to bring a man to his knees. He carried himself with a strict esteem that wasn't matched by anyone.

King spotted him too and didn't react. The woman that held Trez's arm let go and walked off near the ice-cream truck on the side of the park, which was right in front of them as he came and sat on the bench.

"It's good to see you, Bone," Trez greeted, his voice still the same as he remembered; stern and deep.

"I hope you've been well," Bone smiled.

Trez's eyes looked back at the woman standing near the truck giving her order. "Better than I deserve," he answered.

"I've never seen you with a woman before," King remarked. "Who is that?"

"Angela, my mate," he answered.

Bone and King shared a surprised expression. "We're happy for you," Bone said.

"Thanks," Trez smirked.

"Should she really be by herself over there?" King questioned.

Bone wondered the same. If Angela was Trez's mate then it could be dangerous for her now that she was associated with the Luciano's.

"She's not alone," Trez said.

Bone looked back seeing Angela who was dressed in a short black dress and heels, her red hair in bouncy curls. However, it was the dangerously tall man that stood leaning against a car right behind her. Bone recognized Axe right when he laid his eyes on the man, it was hard not to. Bone always thought that Trez was the more reasonably brother while Axe was completely rogue. He'd kill whoever fucked with him and he wouldn't even flinch at the sight of blood. Bone knew that Axe enjoyed killing, it was built in him and nothing could get it out even if they tried. So, no wonder Trez assigned his brother to guard his mate. Frankly, Axe never left his brother's side so he must consider protecting Angela important for him to be with her and not Trez.

"Before I warn your mate that you're a complete psychopath, what did you bring me?" King said.

Trez pulled out a folder from his suit's jacket and handed it to King. "The ones who are orchestrating the attack against Ivy Croft are in the folder," he informed.

King pulled the papers out and saw two faces just like Bone had. "Isabel Morelli," he said. "Why have I heard that name before?"

"She's a dictator for weapons trafficking and any black-market business you can think of," Trez answered.

"Where is she?" Bone asked.

"Russia," Trez answered.

"And let me guess, she's not on vacation there," King mocked.

Trez shook his head. "Isabel runs the family business and loved her brother," he explained.

King looked at Trez annoyed. "Please don't tell me she's looking for revenge," he insisted. "I had a pleasant morning. Don't ruin it."

"Isabel isn't just evil, King," Trez warned. "She's unforgiving to anyone that crosses her family and is only loyal to her blood relations."

Bone knew what that meant. Isabel would seek revenge from the people who killed Halo and that meant Ivy Croft was the top target.

"Who else is in this stupid family?" King sighed.

"Shaw Morelli," Trez said. "He shouldn't be a problem."

"Why not?" King asked.

"He's on the blacklist across the globe. No one knows where he is," Trez said. "Rumour has it that he's dead."

"No, he's a ghost," King replied and Bone thought the exact same thing, "which means he's waiting to attack like a fucking snake." Bone sensed the tension from King because they both knew the severity of this issue.

"That's all I have for you," Trez said.

"It's more than enough," King answered. "Thanks for this."

"What are you going to do now?" Trez asked. "If you side with Ivy Croft then the entire Morelli family will target you."

King smirked. "Have you ever seen me run from a fight?"

Trez laughed briefly. "Just so you know, I am on your side," he said. "Ivy Croft is innocent and I know you can help her."

King rolled his eyes. "Don't get sentimental on me now," he said. "I could barely handle you when you had no emotions."

Trez shook his head. "Fuck you," he said as he got up from the bench. "Take care of yourselves-" he looked at Bone too- "both of you."

"Thank you for your help," Bone said.

"Alister's in town too," King said. "Let's get drinks together, like old times." Trez nodded in agreement before he left towards his brother and mate.

They both left the park as well.

"We're heading back now," King said as he spoke to Klaus on the phone. "Oh, really. Well, I'll congratulate her when I get back. Yeah, I know. Okay, bye. Love you too." He cut the phone with a little smile on his face. He always did when he talked to Klaus. "Zoya's pregnant," he told Bone.

"That's wonderful news," Bone said cheerfully. "I'm happy for them."

"Yeah," King agreed.

They walked for a while before Bone sensed the direness of the lives they all lived. "King, this trial is getting more dangerous," he warned as they walked together through the crowded pathway.

"I am aware of that," King said as he raked his hair from the strong wind that blew past them.

"What do you think will come of this?" Bone said. "Isabel Morelli will target Ivy Croft for killing Halo. However, will it end after that?"

"I thought you'd get it by now," King said as they turned onto the next street. Their car parked in the alley between two buildings.

"What?" he asked.

"The Morelli's want to wage war," King said.

Bone shook his head. "What should we do-"

Suddenly, both of them stopped in their tracks right in front of the white Tesla. Before King even said a word, Bone knew what both of them sensed. They were being watched. A sinister chill crawled down Bone's body as he widened his stance to get ready for whatever watched them.

"King," he called out cautiously.

"Be ready," King retorted.

Bone straightened posture and convinced himself that this suit was about to get bloody. Both of them turned to face the street making sure that the alley behind them was empty and their territory. All those times in the cage came crashing back. However, the only benefit being a captive was that he knew how to kill.

Strangely, everyone that was on the street dispersed, it emptied quickly leaving the two of them alone, which only meant that they were being watched since they met Trez. Bone guessed that Trez would be attacked as well, but the man could handle himself. He wasn't worried for the Luciano brothers. Now, it was their turn to face the hidden enemy.

Bone and King guarded the alley until all the people disappeared and only the men in grey suits stayed back. They were big, burly fighters who appeared as if their mind only knew one thing and that was to fight like raging bulls.

Bone straightened his tie and cleared his mind before the first one came rushing towards them. He stepped ahead and his body knew what to do before his mind made any decisions. Sliding the thin, long blade out from under his sleeve, he spun it between his fingers and sent it straight through the man's thick neck- one side to the other. The man stared with wide eyes before he fell at Bone's feet. He slid the knife back out and looked back at the targets.

It's been a while since he killed. He had gotten slower, he thought to himself as he navigated through the men. It was only after the fifth kill that he had the chance to catch a glimpse of King. The demon from the cage returned and was using his fists as he fought through his circle of targets. He knew how fast King was. He never flinched when he needed to go for the kill and it didn't matter if he used a weapon or not. He was the weapon.

The street soon became a battlefield where the dead bodies laid scattered around the grey pavement, which was painted crimson by their blood.

King snapped the last man's neck in half and dropped him on the ground, when suddenly, someone started clapping. Bone turned and saw a woman in a trench coat walking towards them. She wore heels with a suit and had dark, long hair. However, it was the insidious grey gaze of hers that made his body alert- even more then when all these men attacked. Bone stood by King and made sure he covered his friend's back from this woman.

"King Vitiello," she said with a smile on her red-painted lips. "I've heard great things about you."

"Of course, you did," he taunted, "I'm a fucking superstar."

Her smile twitched a little and the flash of anger appeared in her eyes. King was good at doing that, Bone thought when he recognized the woman. They saw her picture earlier. That was Isabel Morelli, he was going to tell King but he was sure that King figured it out by now.

"You did give me quite the spectacular show," she gestured to all the dead bodies, "but you're probably used to that since you spent half your life in a cage-"

"Woman-" King interrupted curtly, "you have three seconds to explain what the fuck you want before I kill you."

"This gift was me extending my courtesy to you," Isabel explained. "I look forward to seeing you at the trial and very grateful for your support to my family." She turned to leave.

"I didn't say you had my support," King announced.

Isabel stopped in her tracks and turned to him. "Then I will keep sending more gifts like these," she said happily. "Bigger and more extravagant, that will just blow you away."

"I'm not easily impressed," King remarked with glower.

Isabel smiled showing her sharp canine teeth. "Do you like the sight of blood, Mr. Vitiello?" she asked as she approached them, her heels clinking annoyingly. "I love it. It reminds me that lives are feeble and weak. I can play with them however I choose-" she laughed bitterly.

"You're insane," King commented.

"No, Mr. Vitiello," she smirked, "I'm dangerous."

Bone saw it the moment her hand lifted. Suddenly, a sharp noise cut the air and a bullet hit King straight in his shoulder dropping him to his knee.

"I hope you like my second gift," she said before she left in the car and the men with her left too.

Bone pulled King's jacket to the side and saw the blood rapidly soaking the white shirt. He took out his phone and sent the text for backup at the pack and knew that Hunter would ring the alarm.

"Focus on me, King," he said calmly.

"Fuck, I hate being shot," King growled. "Klaus is going to kill me."

Bone had to smile. "The shot isn't fatal, but we need to get the bullet out," he informed.

"Really, I can't tell," King said sarcastically as he growled at the pain raging in his arm.

Bone got King off his feet and took him to the car. He drove them to the hospital and the entire time King was growling over the blood stains rather than everything that just happened.

In matter of seconds, Bone parked outside the hospital and took King into the emergency wing where he knew they'd find Dr. Stone and her team. She was right by the door waiting for them, which was probably because Hunter sent the text to her that they were coming. The pack would be here soon too.

Dr. Stone was a tall, strict woman who had a tight ponytail showing her sharp blue eyes and strong jawline. Her white coat covered her blue scrubs. "Get him on a stretcher," she commanded.

King was taken to the room for surgery while Bone collapsed on a chair and thought about what the hell just happened. Isabel Morelli had enough power to approach King of all people and shoot him without consequence. Bone realized that he should have been quicker, he should have never let his guard down and now King was shot. Why didn't Bone get shot instead, he at least didn't have a mate and child to get back to. How was he going to face Klaus?

Soon after, the hospital filled with many voices. Bone recognized each and every one. It was the pack. Hunter appeared before anyone and held his phone to his ear before his golden eyes caught Bone.

"I'll call you back... I love you too," he said and then cut the phone and came over to him. "How's his condition?"

"He was shot in the shoulder," Bone explained as he got to his feet. "Dr. Stone took him in for surgery."

"What about you?" Hunter asked sternly. "Are you hurt?"

"I'm fine," Bone answered. He looked down at his hands and saw the pale skin stained from King's blood. He was sure that his suit was probably soaked as well.

"Bone," it was Klaus who arrived with Viola and Vincent who was beside Ender. "How is he?" His face was pale and nothing but fear drowned his eyes.

"It's nothing critical," Bone explained to everyone. "He'll be fine."

"What about you?" Klaus asked in a hurry. "Are you hurt-" he asked as he searched Bone personally- "are you shot?"

"No, I'm fine," he said.

"But the blood," Klaus said.

"It's not mine," Bone answered regretfully.

Klaus collapsed on the chair, like his legs gave out from underneath him. "I was so scared," his voice was trembling as he whispered a prayer. Ender sat with Klaus and both of them held each other.

"Who would dare to attack King of all people," remarked Vincent.

"A dumbass," Viola responded. "I'll call the girls at home to let them know that King's in surgery." She stepped to the side.

"Gabriel's on his way as well," Hunter said.

Bone fisted his hands wondering when the nerves in his system will clear. Unlike the encounter with Isabel Morelli, he was a lot more nervous facing Gabriel. His alpha would want answers and he'd come to Bone demanding the entire story.

As everyone took a seat with Klaus, Bone slipped away to the restroom and locked the door. He stepped in front of the mirror and saw a corpse. His flesh was pale, like it lost its life and hadn't seen the sun for years. The crimson red blood was still warm against his icy-cold skin, it coated his hands, soaked his sleeves and every inch of his suit. He faced his hollowed expression, the light blue in his eyes looked back at him unrecognizable. He turned the tap on, letting water rush into his hands as he scrubbed them as best he could. He splashed warm water on his face and neck, taking a bit of the blood off, it stained like a bitch. He peeled the tie off his collar and put it in his pocket. Unfastening a few of the buttons near his throat, he could finally breath again. He raked a hand through his blond hair and let the water drip off his face.

The cage... he thought about the way he was brought right back to the battlefield. He thought he was a librarian at the Centauri Institute, but he was wrong. He was a killer and only born to fight others. He reminded himself to stay in line and never forget what he was, it will only cause delusions.

Wiping himself off with some paper-towel. He later stepped out of the bathroom and saw everyone waiting at the hall.

No one needed to announce it because everyone in the building knew when Gabriel Centauri arrived. The man was a force of nature all alone. He strode through the hall with the Drakov twins by his side appearing rather pissed off. He didn't give mind to anyone else before he stepped right in front of Bone.

"What happened?" his voice was strict.

"Isabel Morelli attacked us," Bone explained.

"I thought you two went to meet Trez?" Gabriel said with a glower.

"We met him and were returning home when we were attacked," Bone continued.

"Isabel Morelli," River said then. "Why have I heard that name?"

"She's Halo's sister," Bone told him. "Trez gave King intel about the Morelli family before we were ambushed."

Gabriel's jaw tightened and he looked ready to punch the fuck out of someone. "Are you hurt?" he asked.

"I'm okay," Bone said.

"Sit down," Gabriel said then, "you look like you're about to pass out."

"I'm assure you that I'm fine-"

"Sit down," Gabriel affirmed sternly.

Bone sat down and kept his mouth shut.

Dr. Stone stepped out of the surgery room then. Everyone rushed to her, especially Klaus. "King will be just fine," she assured. "I took the bullet out safely and he didn't suffer from anything fatal. He'll heal in a few days." Everyone sighed in relief.

"Can I see him?" Klaus asked.

"He's resting right now but only you can wait in the room with him because I know you guys don't listen to me," she said.

"Thank you, Dr. Stone," Klaus said and ran for it into the room.

Bone went and sat with Ender who was patiently waiting for his parents to return to him. "Are you okay?" he whispered to the kid.

"I don't really know," Ender mumbled as he tucked his chin with his turtleneck sweater. "Is King really going to be okay?"

"You know how tough he is," Bone remarked. "Besides, he'll never leave Klaus or you alone."

Ender's lips lifted to a small smile. "Yeah," he sighed heavily.

King woke up with a sharp pain in his arm. Oh right, he was shot and Bone probably made a big deal by bringing him to the hospital. He cursed in his sleep. He didn't open his eyes because he had woken up, but because he caught a whiff of his mate's scent in the room that smelt like antiseptic and artificial air. That precious honeyed scent called him out of his drowsy trance, it beckoned his body and his wolf.

"King," his mate's voice called him with that soft tone he loved always.

King closed his eyes again pretending to be asleep.

Klaus's voice trembled. "Come back to me-" his soft lips touched King's head- "I need you." King's eyes snapped open as he grabbed his mate surprising him. "You're awake," Klaus rejoiced. "I'll get everyone-" King didn't let go and pulled his mate closer.

"Forget them," King whispered, "I thought you needed me." He combed his fingers through Klaus's soft golden hair and brought him to his lips. Klaus didn't shy away like he usually would. He instead let King lock their lips together in a heated frenzy to let each other know that they were safe.

King didn't consider the stitches in his shoulder as he lifted off the bed and drew Klaus closer to his body. Pain, discomfort were all thoughts he didn't care about when Klaus was in his arms. He only knew the softness of his mate, the caress of his tongue and the way he moaned when King controlled the pressure of the kiss.

King ignored the soreness that grew in his arm because he needed to reassure his mate and calm him. He sensed Klaus's wolf clawing from within to show that he was worried.

"You're hurt," Klaus protested.

"Doesn't matter," he growled as he pushed their bodies closer. His arms locked around Klaus, holding him firmly as their tongues fed off their own lust and need for one another.

Fuck, King was losing his mind. How could anyone be controlled this way? He only found himself thinking of Klaus and being alive for him. Nothing else mattered. And it didn't help that Klaus was so innocent, it pulled at the devil in him. King broke the kiss but only so he could mark his mate's neck.

"You're safe," Klaus whispered shakily.

"I'm safe," King reassured. "Nothing's going to happen to me." Klaus hugged King tightly making him smile.

Klaus pulled back wiping his eyes. "Let me get Dr. Stone," he said.

He didn't let go of Klaus's hand. "Just stay with me a little longer," he wished.

Klaus looked at him with those big, beautiful emerald-green eyes; King's heart skipped a beat. Suddenly, the love in Klaus's eyes vanished and fear returned. "You're bleeding!" he yelled in a frenzy.

King looked down at his bare shoulder where there was a white bandage, it was stained red. "I'm fine," he said. "The stitches probably tore-" Klaus was already running out the door and shouting for Dr. Stone.

Eventually, everyone came into his room to annoy the shit out of him. King wondered why he ever joined this chaotic pack of wolves. They were hounding him for being reckless even though he told them it wasn't his fault. Dr. Stone was throwing knives at him with her eyes since the first thing he did when he woke up was exert himself and tear his stitches; it was like she knew him too well now.

Gabriel ushered everyone out of the room and told them all to return to the pack, which they did. Dr. Stone stitched King's shoulder again as Klaus stood with a remorseful expression and Ender by his side. King would have to cheer him up later. But it was Bone, King was worried about. His friend was standing in the corner like he lost his soul and only moved on whim. He barely spoke a word when he walked into the room.

"Does it hurt?" Ender asked as he stood beside Klaus.

King smiled at his son. "Not really," he confessed.

"Bone told me what happened," Gabriel said as he stood by the bed.

King looked over at Bone who was blankly staring at the painting on the wall, like he was avoiding everything else. "Isabel Morelli," he spoke, "she's in town."

"For what reason?" River asked.

"Probably not a good one if she shot King," added Hunter.

"He can be a pain in the ass," remarked Ryder.

King shot him a glare. Ryder laughed but still stepped behind Klaus admitting truce.

"She plans on threatening everyone to be on her side for the trial," King explained as Dr. Stone secured the bandage around his shoulder again.

"What's new," River said followed with a sigh.

"Gabriel," Azura entered the room with a tablet in her hand. "We've got a problem." She showed him the tablet and Gabriel frowned.

"What is it?" Hunter asked.

"The footage has been erased," Azura said as she flipped the tablet and showed them the panels that go black before the time of the attack.

"How far is this woman going to go?" River astounded.

"Until we agree to her terms," Hunter said.

Ryder scoffed. "Like that's going to happen," he said.

King noticed that Gabriel was lost in thought as he stood with the tablet in his hands now. He wondered what the alpha was thinking about so intensely.

Gabriel's ferocious eyes lifted and stared at River. "Secure our territory," he commanded. "If a leaf moves, I want to know about it."

"You got it," River answered.

Gabriel turned to King. "Rest up," he said, "Azura and Lupin will stay with you-"

"It's fine-" King interrupted.

Gabriel raised a brow commanding the room into silence and submission. He walked out of the room and the pack members followed.

"He seemed tense," King remarked as Dr. Stone stepped out as well.

"Do you blame him," Klaus said. "His wolves were attacked but has no evidence to prove it."

King almost laughed. "I'm his wolf now," he remarked.

Klaus pushed King back onto the bed. "Go to sleep," he instructed. "I'm going to take Ender home. This is the first time he's gone through something like this, so I should be with him." King nodded in agreement and Klaus kissed him gently. "Rest otherwise Bone will tell me if you don't." Klaus left with Ender after that.

A silence drifted through the room.

King looked at the one in the corner of the room. "Bone," he called out. "You good?"

Bone drew in a deep breath and faced him. "Is there anything you need to make you stay more comfortable?" he asked.

King shook his head. "I could ask you to stop being creepy and tell me what's bothering you?"

"I'm not being creepy," Bone said.

King threw the blanket off.

"What are you doing?" Bone panicked.

"Getting up," he answered.

"I can see that, but why?" Bone astonished. "I can get you whatever you need."

"Then tell me what's bothering you," King demanded.

"Nothing," Bone insisted.

King got to his feet.

"Okay, okay," Bone gave in, "I should have been the one who took the bullet."

King fell back on the bed because he couldn't believe what he just heard. But it wasn't a surprise either. For some reason, King was surrounded by honourable people and it was annoying as hell. People like Isabel made sense to King, that was normal to him and easier to handle. But in this pack, members had this annoying habit of wanting to be the one in pain so others wouldn't be.

"And why would you want that?" King said.

"It doesn't matter," Bone answered. "I was too slow and should've protected you."

"You protect me," King scoffed. "Did you forget who used to save your ass in the cages?"

"I did not forget that's why I'm forever in your debt-"

King groaned. "If you're going to keep this up all night you might as well tell Klaus I'm not going to rest," he said.

Bone's blue eyes flashed with concern. "Please, you need to rest for your mate and son," he said.

"Don't blackmail me," King retorted.

"Don't hound me then," Bone answered.

"What'd you say?" King chided.

Bone crossed his arms and faced the door.

King gave up trying to convince Bone otherwise. "Have you seen my cellphone?" he asked.

"It's probably in the car," Bone said.

"Oh fuck, the car," King groaned. "Klaus is going to kill me if he finds out there's blood in his car."

"I will retrieve your phone and get the car cleaned," Bone said.

"You don't have to-" King said but Bone already left the room like he couldn't escape fast enough.

A few minutes later, Dr. Stone came into the room giving King his cellphone and told him that Bone left to get the car cleaned. He understood Bone better than anyone, but he never thought for a second that he wanted Bone to get hurt instead of himself. What was King thinking by binding Bone to him like this? Bone needed to learn to live his life and be happy. He needed to stop seeing a way to serve King and pay his debt even though there was no debt to pay. Did King trap Bone even after they were freed from the cages?

Slumping back on the small bed, he laid awake for a long while contemplating a lot. He grabbed his phone and called Trez.

The phone was answered.

"Hello," Trez's voice was deep.

"Trez," King spoke. "Isabel Morelli is in town."

"How do you know?" he asked, his tone a bit more alert.

"Bone and I were attacked," King said.

"What?" Trez shifted like he moved from somewhere. "Are you two okay?"

"I was shot but we're fine," King said. "Just double your security and keep your mate safe. Isabel will likely attack anyone associated with the Centauri pack."

Trez took a deep breath but it wasn't because he released tension but because it grew. "The battles never end," he said.

"Makes me wonder if I ever left the cage," King replied.

"We didn't," Trez answered. "We merely entered a bigger one."

They both cut the phone without any other exchange.

King then called his mate who answered before the second bell even rang. "King, are you okay?" Klaus asked. "What's wrong?"

"You need to take a breath and sit down," King said as he flipped the lights off in his room and laid on the bed facing the window. Klaus took a breath and sat down like he was told. "How's our son doing?"

"He's strong," Klaus said proudly. "Sometimes it's overwhelming. I want to hold him but I know he won't like that."

"I don't think he'll mind if you do," King said was he heard a door shut through the phone.

"How's Bone holding up?" Klaus asked.

"I don't think he's getting over this any time soon," King said. "He's under this insane notion that he should have gotten shot instead of me because he owes me his life. He's such an idiot."

"He's not," Klaus said. "That's just his way of showing loyalty."

"Well, it's stupid and he needs to stop," he replied and Klaus chuckled. A silence drifted between them. "I trapped him, didn't I?"

"Why would you say that?" Klaus asked softly.

"First, he was a slave, and then once we got out, he served me then joined the pack for me too," King explained. "One cage to another and the same now. He should've chosen his own path and not force himself to follow me."

"I don't think he forces himself, King," Klaus said.

"Doesn't matter," he believed. "I want Bone to follow his own wishes and not feel burdened by anyone, especially me."

"Then I think you need to tell him that and see how he feels," Klaus answered.

"Fuck, emotions were so much easier when I didn't have any," King admitted. He knew he had to talk to Bone and get to the bottom of this sooner or later.

"You should get some sleep," Klaus suggested.

"Okay," he answered softly.

"I love you," Klaus said making King smile against the phone.

"Love you too," he sighed contently.

King waited for Klaus to cut the phone first before he called Bone. "Where are you?" he asked.

"Returning with the car," he said. "It's been cleaned."

King got up from the bed and put his shirt back on. "I'll be at the door," he said.

"Shouldn't you be resting," Bone remarked.

"I will when I'm with my mate," he said.

King made it to the door just in time for when Bone arrived. He sat in the Tesla that was looking normal and not covered in any blood stains, which was a relief. Without conversation or argument, Bone drove them back to the pack. He texted Azura and Lupin to return to the pack because he was already on his way back.

King and Bone got out of the car and walked into the house together. King went up the stairs to his bedroom. He opened the door and saw Klaus sitting on the bed with his phone. He looked up at the door and his green eyes widened.

"King," he astonished, "what are you-"

"You told me to get some sleep," King said as he shut the door.

Klaus shook his head. "You shouldn't push yourself," he chided. "Is your wound okay?"

King unbuttoned his shirt and stripped it off. "Come take a look," he baited with open arms making Klaus laugh.

"You're not really going to sleep, are you?" Klaus said.

"I can't make it too easy for you," he retorted.

Klaus raked his blond hair back that fell over his loving eyes. "Baby, come to bed," he reached his hand out.

King couldn't help it when a smile tugged at his lips.