Chapter 140
“Hey,” I start, already turning-
And stop.
It’s not Dominic.
Lucas stands in the doorway instead, holding a small bouquet of pale flowers, the kind you only get after overthinking the
choice.
“Oh,” I say before I can stop myself.
The disappointment lands harder than I meant.
He sees it immediately. Guilt flashes across his face. “Sorry,” he says quietly. “I-I should’ve called first.”
“No.” I shake my head, pushing myself upright despite my body’s protest. “It’s okay. I just… wasn’t expecting anyone.”
That’s a lie.
He steps inside anyway, careful, setting the flowers on the table before pulling a chair closer.
“How are you feeling?” he asks.
I almost say fine. Instead, I sigh. “Bad. Weird. Tired. Like my body’s breaking me for something I didn’t do.”
A small, humorless smile tugs at his mouth. “That tracks.”
He sits with his hands folded, watching me the way Dominic does, but different. Less instinct. More helpless.
“I heard about the bond,” he says after a moment. “What it’s doing to you. So… Dominic did figure it out.”
“Technically the healer,” I mutter, staring at the blanket. “But he…helped.”
“I wanted to come sooner,” he admits softly, changing the subject. “I just didn’t know if I should.”
That makes me look up. “Why not?”
He hesitates. “It felt like I’d be intruding.”
On who, goes unsaid.
“I’m glad you came,” I say finally. I mean it, even if my heart is being difficult about it. Lucas has always cared quietly, without asking for much in return.
He reaches for my hand, stops himself, and pulls back, resting his arm on the chair instead.
“I’m glad you’re okay,” he says. “Whatever this turns into… you’ll get through it.”
“…Thank you.”
But even with him here, my body doesn’t fully relax. I cough, my head throbbing again, and he’s on his feet immediately,
grabbing the water glass.
“I can do it,” I say.
“I know,” he replies, and still holds it steady for my mouth. My hand slips over his as I drink.
After, he sits back down, staring at the floor, jaw tight.
“You… didn’t come just to bring flowers, did you?” I say. “I can tell.”
Chapter lar
+30 Bonus
A strained smile flickers, then fades. “I’ve been researching mate bonds.”
I blink. “You… what?”
“I know,” he rushes. “I know how it sounds-”
“No,” I interrupt, shifting carefully against the pillows. “It sounds like a lead. Did you find something?”
“Maybe. I was looking for alternatives,” he says, frustration bleeding through. “Everyone keep acting like there’s only one answer, and that answer is Dominic. I didn’t want to accept that without trying.”
My chest tightens, part gratitude, part dread. This sounds…off. “And?”
“And I think there might be another way to stabilize you.”
I grip the blanket, suddenly alert despite the fatigue weighing down my limbs. “Lucas. Don’t do that. Don’t say something like that unless you mean it. Hope is dangerous right now.”
“I mean it.” His voice is steady now, resolved. “But you might not like it.”
My stomach twists. “Just tell me.”
He hesitates, eyes finally lifting to mine. There’s something apologetic in them. Something almost afraid.
“I could mark you,” he says.
The room goes very, very quiet.
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