Killian
Killian feltScout nearly jump out of his skin beside him as the knuckles rapped on the door again. The two of them scrambled to get dressed.
”Who the hell is it at this hour?" Killian mumbled. He was tempted to just ignore it and go to sleep when the knocking came again, more urgently this time, now accompanied by a familiar voice.
"Killian, it's your father."
Scout and Killian exchanged glances before the prince slowly slipped out of bed. He hadn't seen his father since he found him unconscious and wounded in the jail cell. Concern flared up inside him now as he opened the door.
The king stood there, assisted by a nurse who helped him to stand. Killian's eyes widened. "Father, you should be resting, not walking around while you're still hurt!"
But the king shook his head and stepped forward. Killian noticed he was putting less weight on one leg, even with the nurse's assistance.
Curious now, Killian followed, keeping close to his father's other side in case he needed to help. The king stopped in front of Scout, who was wide eyed and utterly baffled, half-covered by the comforter. "Sir?" he asked in a small voice.
The king knelt before him and bowed his head deeply. "I owe you an apology, Scout Avery — no, Scout Whitewood."
Killian's jaw dropped. Did he just hear his father say that?
Scout was just as startled. He stared, not knowing what to do or say.
"Um..." Scout began, tossing Killian a confused glance.
"You don't have to accept my apology," the king continued. "What I did to you was... truly unacceptable. Perhaps unforgivable. I would understand if you never wanted to speak with me again." The king got slowly to his feet again, with the help of the nurse. As he turned to leave, Scout sputtered, "No, wait, sir!"
The king paused and turned back, keeping his eyes lowered as if he couldn’t make eye contact. "Yes?"
Scout got out of bed and stood so he and the king were on equal terms. After a moment, he caught the king's eyes and nodded. "Thank you. For apologizing."
Killian looked back and forth between his mate and his father, wondering what would happen now.
The king's expression turned halfway between relief and sadness. "It is the least I can do."
Scout shuffled his feet. "Could we... um. Start over?" He raised his head up high and stood with his shoulders back — his demeanor now was completely different than the omega who had first showed up at the palace. "I'm Scout, Killian's mate. It's an honor to meet you, your majesty."
The king's bushy brows raised in shock. Then he exhaled and nodded slowly. "It's an honor to meet you as well... my new son in law."
Killian's heart skipped a beat. The man that stood before him — the one who had hired an assassin to kill his mate, the man who had never apologized to anyone in Killian's whole life — was here now nearly begging for Scout's forgiveness. Not only that, but he accepted Scout now as well. He had gone from wanting him dead to calling him his son-in-law. Killian's whole body felt warm with happiness.
"Well," the king said. "You two must be exhausted. The royal guard told me what happened tonight." He shook his head, his eyes darkening. "It's unfortunate that you had to meet Warren at all, especially in the way that you did." He paused. "But... I am grateful for the safe return of the Whitewood omegas, and the rest of my guard." He looked straight at Scout. "I've been informed you had quite the part to play in that."
Scout blushed at the sudden attention. "Anyone would have done the same."
Killian strode to his side and put a hand around his waist. "That's not true. What you did tonight was truly brave."
As Scout opened his mouth to object, the king raised a hand. "Killian is right. You should be proud of yourself, Scout."
The omega's shy gaze fell to the floor, but he was smiling.
"I'll leave you two alone now," the king said. His nurse helped him towards the door. Killian was relieved to see his father recovering well, despite his injuries. As they reached the hall, the king stopped and turned around. "Oh, one more thing."
Killian and Scout listened.
"I've got something I want to show you. Both of you. Be ready tomorrow after breakfast."
"Alright," Killian said.
The king waved them off. "Goodnight."
