Chapter 140
Ellie POV
"Hey—"
I start speaking before I even turn around.
Then I stop.
Because it's not Dominic.
Lucas stands in the doorway.
He's holding a small bouquet of pale flowers.
The kind of flowers someone picks after spending way too much time debating every option.
The kind that says I wanted this to be perfect.
"Oh."
The word slips out before I can stop it.
And immediately...
I hate myself for it.
Because Lucas notices.
Of course he does.
A flicker of hurt crosses his face before he quickly hides it.
"Sorry," he says quietly.
His fingers tighten slightly around the flowers.
"I should've called first."
"No."
I shake my head, forcing myself upright even though my body immediately protests.
"It's okay."
I offer him a small smile.
"I just... wasn't expecting anyone."
A lie.
A terrible one.
Because I was expecting someone.
Just not him.
Lucas steps inside anyway, careful and quiet.
He places the flowers on the table beside my bed, then pulls the chair closer.
Not too close.
Like he's still afraid of crossing a line.
"How are you feeling?"
I almost say fine.
It's automatic.
The answer everyone expects.
But I don't have the energy to pretend.
"Bad."
I sigh.
"Weird. Tired."
My fingers curl into the blanket.
"Like my own body is punishing me for something I didn't do."
A small, humorless smile pulls at his mouth.
"That sounds like something you'd say."
I look at him.
Despite everything...
That almost makes me laugh.
Almost.
He sits quietly, hands folded together.
Watching me.
The way Dominic does.
But differently.
Dominic watches as if his instincts are screaming.
Like protecting me is something his body does before his mind catches up.
Lucas watches like he's trying desperately to figure out how to help.
Like he cares.
But doesn't know where he fits anymore.
"I heard about the bond."
My expression changes.
Lucas looks down briefly.
"What is it doing to you?"
A pause.
"So... Dominic figured it out."
"Technically, the healer figured it out."
I stare at my blanket.
"But Dominic..."
I hesitate.
"He helped."
Lucas nods slowly.
"I wanted to come sooner."
His voice is quiet.
"I just didn't know if I should."
That makes me look up.
"Why not?"
He hesitates.
Then gives a small shrug.
"It felt like I would be intruding."
The person he doesn't mention hangs silently between us.
Dominic.
I look away.
"I'm glad you came."
And I mean it.
Because Lucas has always been kind to me.
Quietly.
Without demanding anything.
Without making me prove anything.
His hand moves slightly.
Like he's going to reach for mine.
Then he stops.
Pulls back.
Instead, he rests his arm on the chair.
"I'm glad you're okay."
His voice softens.
"Whatever happens next..."
He looks at me.
"You'll get through it."
My throat tightens.
"...Thank you."
I mean it.
I do.
But even with Lucas here...
Something feels wrong.
My body doesn't settle.
My head starts aching again.
A cough escapes me.
Immediately, Lucas stands.
He grabs the water glass from the table.
"I can do it."
I reach for it.
"I know."
His voice is gentle.
"But he still holds the glass steady."
I don't argue.
I don't have the energy.
My fingers brush over his hand as I drink.
Afterward, he sits back down.
Quiet.
Too quiet.
He's staring at the floor.
Jaw tense.
Thinking.
"You didn't come here just to bring flowers."
I say it softly.
His eyes lift.
"I can tell."
A strained smile appears.
Then disappears.
"No."
He exhales.
"I didn't."
I wait.
"I've been researching mate bonds."
I blink.
"You what?"
"I know."
He immediately raises his hands slightly.
"I know how that sounds."
"No."
I shift carefully against the pillows.
"It sounds like you found something."
His expression changes.
Hope.
Fear.
Both.
"Did you?"
Lucas looks down again.
"I was looking for alternatives."
His voice grows quieter.
"Everyone keeps acting like there is only one solution."
He swallows.
"And that solution is Dominic."
My chest tightens.
Because he's right.
Everyone has been saying the same thing.
Accept him.
Mark him.
Complete the bond.
End the suffering.
Like there isn't any other choice.
"I didn't want to accept that without trying."
Lucas looks back at me.
"I wanted to find another way."
My heart twists.
Part gratitude.
Part dread.
"And?"
He takes a breath.
"I think there might be another way to stabilize you."
Suddenly, the exhaustion disappears.
Not completely.
But enough.
I sit a little straighter.
"Lucas."
My voice lowers.
"Don't do that."
His eyebrows pull together.
"Do what?"
"Don't give me hope unless you mean it."
I grip the blanket.
"Hope is dangerous right now."
His expression softens.
"I mean it."
The certainty in his voice makes me still.
"But..."
A pause.
"You might not like it."
Something cold settles in my stomach.
"Just tell me."
Lucas doesn't answer immediately.
His eyes move to mine.
And there is something there.
Apology.
Regret.
Almost fear.
Then he says:
"I could mark you."
The room goes silent.
Completely silent.
For a moment, even my own heartbeat feels too loud.
Because I know exactly what those words mean.
And somehow...
They scare me more than the pain ever did.