#Chapter 86: The Weight On A King’s Shoulders

Jasper’s POV Jasper had known Lucian all his life, but this was the first time he had ever seen Lucian looking so defeated. The Alpha King, usually so regal and composed, was, in this moment, like a shadow of his former self. He was hollowed out, curled in on himself with his forehead pressed to the steering wheel. “I should pull over,” he said, and Jasper was glad he was at least in the state of mind to still understand reason when he heard it, even if he was presently unable to think of it for himself. Lifting his head, Lucian pulled the car over into the parking lot of a small park. This late at night, the park was empty and the parking lot barren. Lucian put the car in park and then turned off the ignition, but for a long moment neither he nor Jasper moved, not even to get out of the car. Jasper felt like he was watching the sharp end of a pin come very near a full, helium balloon. He was bracing for the pop. “Is the guilt really this bad?” Jasper asked, not entirely