Chapter 26 FRACTURED LIGHTS

Chapter 26 FRACTURED LIGHTS
Lily’s POV

The hospital discharged me the next afternoon with strict instructions to rest, avoid sudden movements, and stay under observation for the next forty-eight hours. Jake volunteered immediately. Alexander said nothing, but his presence lingered beside me as they helped me into the back seat of his car.

Jake sat beside me while Alexander drove.

The silence inside the car felt suffocating.

Every bump in the road sent an ache through my ribs. Jake noticed instantly and carefully slipped an arm around my shoulders, easing me against his side. His warmth was comforting and safe. Exactly what I should have wanted.

“You’re staying at my place tonight,” Jake said softly, his thumb brushing against my arm. “My parents are out of town, and there’s plenty of space. No stairs either.”

I glanced at the rearview mirror. Alexander’s grey eyes met mine for the briefest second before shifting back to the road.

“I should go home,” I murmured. “My mom—”

“Already handled,” Jake cut in gently. “Alexander called her last night. She knows you’re safe with us.”

Us.

I closed my eyes and leaned into Jake, trying to focus on the steady rhythm of his breathing instead of the pull tightening in my chest with every second Alexander stayed near. The bond didn’t care about logic or loyalty. It didn’t care that Jake was the one holding me together. It only cared that Alexander was close and I was hurt.

By the time we pulled up to Jake’s sprawling house, the ache beneath my skin had become impossible to ignore. Alexander turned off the engine but made no move to get out.

“I’ll carry her in,” Jake offered.

Alexander’s jaw tightened. “She can walk. Just… slowly.”

Jake helped me out of the car anyway, keeping an arm firmly around my waist. I barely managed to straighten before pain shot through my ribs, forcing a sharp breath from me. Alexander appeared at my side instantly, close enough that I could feel the heat radiating off him even though he never actually touched me.

For a moment, we stayed like that. Jake supporting me on one side while Alexander stood tense and silent on the other.

My skin reacted despite the pain, every nerve suddenly too aware of him.

Inside, Jake’s house looked exactly like old vampire money should. Dark wood, towering ceilings, and artwork that probably cost more than my mother made in a year. He guided me to a guest room on the ground floor, where there was a massive bed.

“Get some rest,” Jake said as he helped me sit on the edge of the bed. He crouched in front of me, concern written all over his face. “I’ll make you something light to eat. Alexander can stay with you until I get back.”

He pressed a soft kiss to my forehead, lingering for a second before he pulled away and left the room. The door clicked shut behind him.

Alexander didn’t move at first. After a moment, he walked across the room and sat in the armchair opposite the bed. He leaned forward with his elbows on his knees and looked down at the floor instead of at me.

“You should lie down,” he said roughly.

“I’m okay sitting.”

“You’re not.” His voice cracked slightly. He rubbed a hand over his face. “I felt every second of it, Lily. When that car hit you… it was like someone drove a stake through my chest. I nearly crashed my own car on the way there.”

“Alexander…”

“Don’t.” He looked up. His grey eyes were stormy, flecked with red at the edges. “Don’t say my name like that right now. Not when Jake just kissed your forehead and I’m supposed to be happy about it.”

The tension in the room felt heavy, making it hard for me to breathe. I shifted on the bed and winced. In an instant, Alexander was kneeling in front of me with his hands hovering near my ribs without touching.

“Where does it hurt most?” he asked.

“Everywhere. But mostly here.” I touched my side lightly.

His fingers brushed the edge of my shirt, barely grazing skin. The contact sent a spark through the bond so strong I gasped. His eyes darkened further.

“Tell me to stop,” he whispered.

His fingers brushed the edge of my shirt, barely grazing my skin. The contact sent a sharp jolt through me and I gasped. His eyes darkened in response.

I didn’t.

His hand rested on my ribs and the warmth spread from his palm, soothing the ache in a way no painkiller had. Vampire healing energy? Or just the bond? I didn’t care. It felt like relief and fire at the same time.

“Better?” he asked. His face was inches from mine.

I nodded, unable to speak

“Jake’s good to you,” he said bitterly. “He’ll take care of you. That’s what you wanted.”

“Stop talking like you’re giving me away,” I whispered.

His forehead rested against mine and the bond surged between us. I could feel his fangs slightly extended against his lower lip. One of his hands slid to the back of my neck, his thumb brushing my pulse.

“Lily…” The way he said my name sounded like both prayer and curse.

We stayed like that, suspended in almost. Close enough to kiss. Close enough to break everything.

The sound of footsteps in the hallway shattered the moment.

Alexander pulled back so fast he nearly fell. By the time Jake entered with a tray of soup and toast, he was back in the armchair with his arms crossed.

Jake set the tray down. “You two good?”

“Perfect,” Alexander said flatly.

I forced a smile. “Thank you, Jake. This looks amazing.”

Jake sat on the edge of the bed and fed me a spoonful of soup. The tension in the room was so thick I was sure Jake would notice.

But he didn’t. Or if he did, he chose not to say anything.

Later that evening, after Jake stepped out to take a call from his parents, Alexander stayed by the door.

“Don’t fall asleep too deeply,” he said quietly. “The bond… if anything feels wrong, I’ll know.”

I nodded.

He hesitated, then added, “And Lily?”

“Yeah?”

His eyes softened for just a second. “I’m glad you’re okay. Even if it kills me to watch him take care of you.”

Then he was gone.



I spent the night in Jake’s guest room, drifting in and out of sleep.

By morning, the bruises had turned deep purple, but my head felt clearer. Jake made me breakfast and insisted on driving me to school himself the next day, even though it was a Monday.

Alexander was already waiting by his car when we pulled up.

During lunch, I sat between them again. Jake’s arm rested casually along the back of my chair. Alexander ate in silence, eyes on his blood bag, but I caught him glancing at my wrist more than once.

Later, in the library during free period, Alexander found me alone in the back stacks.

“You shouldn’t be here by yourself,” he said, voice low.

“I’m fine.”

He stepped closer anyway, scanning me from head to toe like he was checking for new injuries. “Jake’s talking about making it official. Dating publicly.”

My stomach flipped. “He mentioned something like that.”

Alexander lifted his hand like he was going to touch my bruised cheek, then let it fall back to his side. “Tell me what you want, Lily. What you actually want. Not the plan and not what you think you’re supposed to want.”

“I don’t know anymore,” I whispered.

His breath hitched.

For one second, I thought he might kiss me right there between the bookshelves.

Instead, he stepped back with his fists clenched.

“Then figure it out fast,” he said, voice rough. “Because I’m running out of ways to pretend this doesn’t destroy me.”

He turned and walked away, leaving me standing there with a racing heart.