Chapter 52
Lucas's POV:
The Elder Council meeting had finally concluded after four grueling hours.
Representatives from the four major packs had been debating urban construction along the northern border.
As the council chamber emptied, I checked my phone for the first time since the meeting began.
Three missed calls from Matthew.
I frowned. Matthew rarely called with such urgency, especially knowing I was in council.
I immediately returned his call, and the phone was answered shortly on the other end.
"This better be important," I said when he picked up.
"Well, hello to you too, oh mighty Alpha," Matthew's voice carried its usual sarcastic edge, but I detected tension beneath it. "I'd say your heart's beloved being rushed to the medical center counts as important, wouldn't you?"
My frown deepened at his choice of words. "Explain. Now."
"Tori was brought in with silver burns about an hour ago," Matthew's voice turned serious. "She came in with your nephew Ethan, who apparently took most of the blast trying to protect her."
My grip tightened on the phone. "How severe?"
"Interesting," Matthew's tone turned playful. "The nephew or the Omega? Which priorities are you showing, Alpha?"
"Matthew." My voice dropped to a dangerous growl.
"Alright, alright," he conceded quickly.
"Ethan's worse off—burns across his back and shoulders from the silver-infused steam. Tori's doing okay though—just a slight burn on her left leg, nothing too serious."
I ended the call with a sharp tap and exhaled slowly.
This woman couldn't stay out of trouble for even a few days without me around. I'd barely been gone for the Council meeting, and she'd already managed to land herself in the hospital again.
"Jack," I called out, not bothering to turn as I sensed my Beta approaching.
"The agreements need your signature by morning," he said, already holding out the folder.
"I need to come back," I replied, already moving toward the exit. "Handle the rest of this. Contact me directly if there's an emergency."
Jack nodded once, understanding immediately. "I'll take care of everything here."
Without another word, I strode out of the Council building and headed for my car.
The night air was cool as I started the engine, my mind already calculating the fastest route to the medical center.
By the time I arrived at Moontouch Medical Center, the building was quiet, most of its windows darkened for the night.
I moved silently through the corridors, ignoring the surprised looks from the night staff as I made my way to the third floor.
Room 307. I pushed the door open quietly.
In the dim glow of the monitoring equipment, I could see Tori lying still on the hospital bed, her brow furrowed even in sleep.
I approached Tori's bedside, studying her face.
The lines of pain etched around her eyes, the slight pallor beneath her skin. Without thinking, I reached out and gently smoothed the wrinkle between her brows with my thumb.
Her eyes flew open immediately.
For a moment, she blinked in confusion, adjusting to the low light. Then recognition dawned in those silver eyes, followed by clear surprise.
"Alpha Lucas?" she whispered, voice hoarse with sleep.
"Aren't you supposed to be on your business trip? What are you doing here?"
I didn't answer her question; instead, I asked one of my own.
"Where are you injured?"
Her gaze shifted away, understanding crossing her features.
"I'm fine, really. It's just a small burn on my leg." She glanced toward the door. "Ethan's injuries are much worse. He's in room 315, I think. He shielded me from most of the blast."
I ignored her attempt to redirect my attention. "Does it hurt?"
She hesitated, then shook her head, though the slight tension in her jaw betrayed her.
I sighed quietly, reaching down to adjust her blanket, tucking it carefully around her slender form. For a moment, my hand lingered near her shoulder, then I straightened and turned away.
"Rest," I said simply, moving toward the door without looking back. I could feel her confused gaze following me as I left.
I made my way down the hallway to room 315.
The door was partially open, and I entered quietly.
Ethan was propped up against several pillows, his torso wrapped in bandages visible beneath his hospital gown. Fiona was curled up in a chair beside his bed, her head resting awkwardly against the wall, fast asleep.
When Ethan saw me, his eyes widened. "Uncle Lucas? What are you doing here? I thought you were at the Council meeting in the Northern Territory."
"I was," I replied, moving closer to assess his injuries.
"You didn't have to come back for this. I'm fine, nothing serious." Ethan said quickly, wincing as he tried to sit up straighter. "It looks worse than it is. The doctors said I'll be back on my feet in a week, fully healed in three."
"Good," I nodded curtly. "Rest and recover."
After confirming his injuries weren't life-threatening. I turned toward the door, eager to leave.
My mind was already drifting back to the small room where Tori lay injured, wondering if she'd fallen asleep yet.
"Uncle," Ethan called after me, causing me to pause at the doorway. "Could you...check on Tori? Her grandmother is elderly, and there's no one else to really look after her."
I stopped, slowly turning back to face him. "You seem unusually concerned about the Sullivan girl."
Ethan's heartbeat quickened noticeably.
"I just—I mean—she seems alone, and she is quite pitiful—" he stammered.
I fixed him with a penetrating stare.
"Focus on your own recovery, Ethan. I'll handle Sullivan."
Something in my tone made his eyes widen slightly before he nodded, looking away.
"Of course, Uncle."
I returned to Tori's room, pushing the door open quietly. To my surprise, her eyes immediately turned toward me, alert and questioning.
"Why aren't you sleeping?" I asked, moving to the chair beside her bed.
"I thought you'd left," she replied softly, her silver eyes following my movements.
I settled into the chair, my frame making the hospital furniture seem undersized.
"Sleep. I'll stay here with you."
"That's not what I—"
"But it's what I meant," I cut her off firmly.
She shifted uncomfortably. "I can't sleep with you watching me like that."
I raised an eyebrow. "Is that an invitation to join you instead?"
Her cheeks flushed instantly.
"You have dark circles under your eyes. You haven't rested properly." She gestured toward the empty cot. "There's room there if you want to rest."
I didn't argue further, stretching out on the neighboring cot.
With me nearby, her breathing gradually evened out, the tension in her shoulders releasing as she drifted off.
I observed her sleeping face, the way her silver-streaked hair fell across the pillow, how her features softened in sleep.
Before I realized it, my own exhaustion caught up with me and I fell into a deep sleep.
When the sunlight streaming through the half-drawn curtains finally woke me, I blinked groggily, my vision slowly coming into focus.
There by my bed stood an elderly woman, her gaze fixed intently on me, studying me with undisguised interest.