RISE OF THE WARRIOR QUEEN

CHAPTER THIRTEEN-3

His jaw tightened, and when he spoke, it was a growl. “Because I don’t trust him! And I’m not letting you bring someone like him into your home.”

I blinked. “Someone like him?” The words stung. Not because he said them, but because of what they meant. What he assumed. What he was implying.

“You don’t even know him,” I said, keeping my tone level even as I glared at him.

“And you do?” Gareth snapped, as he took a step closer, his voice lowering. “He could be dangerous, Kaia. He could be a murderer or a r****t—what if he tries to hurt you or your family?”

My jaw dropped.

I wasn’t sure what shocked me more—his words or the fact that he said them like they were nothing. Like throwing around that kind of accusation didn’t matter.

Silver stiffened. He sat straighter in the hospital bed, and when he spoke, his voice was a cold whisper. “I beg your pardon?”

Gareth turned toward him, full of heat and suspicion. “You heard me. I don't trust you.”

Silver’s eyes darkened. His jaw flexed. “I don’t know what your problem with me is,” he said tightly, “but I won’t sit here and let you insult me. I may have lost my memory, but I haven’t lost my dignity.”

"What was that?" Gareth took another step forward, fists clenched at his sides. “You think you can come into my territory and disrespect me like that? Who the hell do you think you are?!”

And just like that, the room felt like it was about to explode.

I could almost see it happening in my head—Gareth lunging, Silver defending himself, the whole thing ending with someone bloody on the floor.

But before it could come to that, before anyone could make a move, a calm voice cut through the tension in the room.

“Alright, enough, kids. Please,” Dr. Grayson said.

His voice wasn’t loud, but it was enough. Like flipping a switch.

Everyone stilled.

The doctor raised his hand slightly, like he was asking permission to speak, and we all turned to him. Even Gareth backed off—just a little.

Dr. Grayson looked between the three of us. “I understand there are concerns, and I have a suggestion that might put this to rest.”

He turned to Silver, his expression turning calm and kind. “Son, if you’re okay with it, my mate and I would be happy to have you stay at our house. There’s more than enough space, and we wouldn’t mind the company at all. Only if you're comfortable with the idea.”

For a second, no one said anything.

Silver blinked. He didn’t even seem to know how to respond.

Honestly, I didn’t either.

I glanced at Dr. Grayson, surprised. That wasn’t what I expected. Not from him. He was always the one telling people to be cautious, to think things through, to follow protocol.

And yet here he was—offering his own home like it was nothing.

But I guess our past does have a way of popping back up every now and then. The poor man and his mate were probably just looking for company—someone to keep the house warm and actually make it feel like home.

When Silver turned to me, I shrugged. I didn’t know what to say. I hadn’t seen it coming either.

Silver nodded slowly, his voice quiet. “If you’re sure, then… yes. Thank you.”

Dr. Grayson smiled, his eyes lighting up as if he’d won something. “No need for thanks, Son. We’re happy to help. Like I said, we wouldn’t mind the company at all.”

Then he looked at Gareth. “Is that alright with you, Alpha?”

Gareth looked like he was going to explode. His jaw was clenched so hard I thought I heard it creak. He didn’t answer right away—just stared at Silver with fire in his eyes.

Finally, after several seconds, he raised the folded discharge papers and slapped them hard against Silver’s chest.

“Whatever,” he muttered. “But I wouldn’t get too comfortable if I were you. I’m watching you.”

With that, he turned, stormed out of the room, and slammed the door behind him.

For a moment, the room was quiet. No one spoke.

Then, after a while, Dr. Grayson turned to Silver, his voice warm again as he asked, “Have you had anything to eat yet?”

Silver looked genuinely confused, like the thought hadn’t even occurred to him until he was asked. “Uh… no,” he said, shaking his head.

“Come on, then,” Dr. Grayson said, motioning toward the hallway. “Let’s get you something. I’m sure there’s something leftover in the staff kitchen. Or we’ll find something from the cafeteria.”

Silver hesitated for a moment, then nodded slowly.

I helped him put on the shirt, but he couldn't button it up because of all the bandages, so he left it open.

As they turned to leave, I followed without thinking. Something about Silver’s silence tugged at me. Something about his loneliness—the way he looked surprised every time someone offered him kindness—made my heart ache.

He wasn’t just some stranger.

He wasn’t just a mystery to solve or a threat to assess.

He was… lost.

Confused.

Alone.

And even though I couldn’t explain why, I felt like I needed to help him. Like it was my responsibility.

Maybe I was being foolish.

Maybe Gareth was right.

But standing there, watching Silver walk ahead with Dr. Grayson, I didn’t feel scared.

I felt the need to help.

Because no matter what Gareth thought, Silver wasn’t some monster.

He was just a man with no memory, no name, and no place to go.

And for now… he needed help.

And I would offer him that help however I could.