Chapter 153
Dominic POV
I’ve spent so much time in this hospital that I’ve gotten used to it.
The sterile smell.
The constant hum of machines.
The buzzing lights overhead.
The distant sounds of people shouting, running, and healing.
Someone is always hurt here.
Someone is always fighting to survive.
But right now?
It’s quiet.
At least since Lucas was dragged out.
Thank the gods.
I’m counting that as a victory.
I rub a hand over my face.
I can’t remember the last time I slept properly.
It feels like it’s been days.
Maybe years.
Ellie shifts against the pillows.
She’s pale.
Still too pale.
But awake.
And her eyes are sharp.
That’s what gets me.
Even after everything, she still looks at me like she’s deciding whether she wants to yell at me or laugh.
I missed that look.
“So…”
Her voice is weak, but there’s a hint of amusement.
“You almost started a full Alpha fight in a hospital room.”
Her lips twitch.
“I still can’t believe you two actually fit in here.”
It’s a strange thing to talk about.
After everything.
After watching her almost die.
But maybe that’s exactly why she says it.
Because neither of us is ready to talk about that yet.
I lean back slightly.
“I showed restraint.”
She stares at me.
Then snorts.
Immediately regretting it when she winces and presses a hand to her ribs.
“You shattered a door.”
I shrug.
“It was already weak.”
Her eyebrows lift.
“Poor craftsmanship.”
“Exactly.”
She just looks at me.
I add quickly,
“Lucas started it.”
That gets a real laugh.
A small one.
Breathy.
But real.
And for one moment, the knot in my chest loosens.
Just enough.
Enough to remind me why this hurts so much.
Because this isn’t just another fight.
This is her life.
Then the humor fades.
Because it always does.
Lucas’s words are still stuck in my head.
You’re killing her.
The truth is ugly.
And I hate that he said it.
Because I hate that part of me believes it.
I sit down on the edge of her bed.
My elbows rest against my knees.
“Ellie.”
My voice comes out quieter.
“He’s not wrong.”
She goes still.
I know she knows.
Her fingers tighten slightly around the blanket.
I look down instead of at her.
“You’re not living.”
The words hurt.
But I force them out.
“Not like this.”
A pause.
“Not trapped in a hospital bed. Not waiting for the next wave of pain. Not constantly fighting your own body.”
My jaw tightens.
“And whether you want to admit it or not…”
I swallow.
“Part of this is because of me.”
Her expression changes.
I don’t let myself look away.
“If you die because of a connection between us…”
I stop.
Because saying the words out loud feels like inviting them to happen.
I breathe in.
Then continue.
“I can’t let that happen.”
Her fingers curl tighter.
I straighten.
“Before you say anything…”
I raise a hand.
“Just listen.”
She narrows her eyes.
“You’re being weird.”
A small breath leaves me.
“Yeah.”
I nod.
“But I watched you die.”
My voice drops.
“And I brought you back.”
She goes quiet.
“That gives me permission to be a little weird.”
A tiny smile appears.
“That’s fair.”
I take a breath.
Ground myself.
“Okay.”
I look at her.
“We have goals.”
She watches me carefully.
“This isn’t only about the bond.”
I pause.
“It’s about your life.”
Her expression shifts.
“Your power.”
“Your choices.”
“Your ability to fight back.”
Her brows pull together.
“You want your mother free.”
She doesn’t answer.
“You want the truth exposed.”
My voice hardens.
“You want your stepfather held responsible for what he did.”
Her eyes flash.
“He framed her.”
I nod.
“I believe you.”
That surprises her.
“But right now, you don’t have the resources to fight him.”
I gesture around us.
“You’re sick.”
A pause.
“You’re vulnerable.”
“And the people with power are using that against you.”
Her shoulders tense.
“But you could fight back.”
She looks at me.
“If you had Alpha authority.”
She exhales.
“Dominic…”
“We already know this.”
“I know.”
I lean forward.
“But I’m not talking about a leash.”
I hold her gaze.
“I’m talking about armor.”
Silence.
I let it sit.
“Rejecting the bond is killing you.”
The words are blunt.
Because they have to be.
“We both know that.”
Her eyes drop.
“Pretending otherwise won’t change it.”
I take a breath.
Then say the words.
“My solution.”
She looks back at me.
“A contract marriage.”
The reaction is immediate.
Her eyes sharpen.
“Dominic.”
She shakes her head.
“Lucas already suggested something like that.”
Her voice grows harder.
“I can’t be trapped.”
“But I’m not Lucas.”
She pauses.
“You’re joking.”
“No.”
I shake my head.
“I’m not.”
She pushes herself up slightly.
Anger flashes.
“It just feels like…”
She struggles for words.
“Like if I say yes to you, then everything I fought for was pointless.”
Her voice cracks.
“Like I’m right back where I started.”
I frown.
“What do you mean?”
She looks away.
“Never mind.”
I let it go.
“For what it’s worth…”
I keep my voice calm.
“This isn’t about romance.”
Her eyes return to mine.
“It doesn’t have to be a love story.”
She shakes her head.
“I know, Dom, but—”
“We set rules.”
I cut in gently.
“Real ones.”
“Boundaries.”
“Conditions.”
I meet her eyes.
“You get your life back.”
She goes quiet.
“Your choices.”
“Your school.”
“Your future.”
“You get access to everything my name provides.”
I pause.
“Protection.”
“Resources.”
“Power.”
“You would be Luna.”
I soften my voice.
“But a free one.”
Her breathing slows.
“You could hate me for the rest of your life.”
A small, sad smile touches my mouth.
“You’d still have that choice.”
I look at her.
“But I can’t stand here and watch you die.”
She looks away.
“Dominic…”
Her voice is quieter.
“This isn’t fair to you.”
I don’t answer.
“You’ll be trapped too.”
She swallows.
“You deserve someone who actually wants this.”
Someone who loves you.
The words aren’t said.
But I hear them anyway.
“You won’t owe me anything.”
I tell her.
She looks back.
“I’m taking responsibility for the bond.”
The room goes silent.
For once, she doesn’t argue.
She just looks at me.
Like she’s seeing the possibility.
Not the cage.
Finally, she exhales.
“I need time.”
I nod immediately.
No hesitation.
“Take all the time you need.”
I stand.
“I meant it.”
I move toward the bathroom door.
Then stop.
I glance back.
“For what it’s worth…”
My voice lowers.
“This isn’t me trying to take control from you.”
A pause.
“It’s me trying to give it back.”
She doesn’t answer.
And that’s okay.
Because for once…
The choice is hers.