Chapter 88 Complicated Truths
LISA'S POV
Adrian's face shifted from shock to something deeper and I watched him carefully. Hurt showed in his eyes and then understanding and then something that looked like resignation. He moved slowly and sat on the edge of my hospital bed like he was approaching something fragile that might shatter.
"It is not what you think." His voice was steady but quiet. "Nothing romantic happened between Emma and me. She was spiraling that night. Talking about ending her life because she blamed herself for Nathan's death. She kept saying it should have been her instead of him. I held her while she cried. That is all."
I wanted to believe him. Every part of me wanted to accept his words and move past this. But Emma's face kept flashing in my mind. The way she had looked when she said the father was important to me. The way she had run from the room rather than confess.
"She is pregnant, Adrian." My voice came out flat. "And she will not tell me who the father is. She said if I knew it would destroy something I am trying to rebuild. You are important to me because you saved my life. You have been there through everything."
Adrian went completely still and his whole body tensed. "She is pregnant?"
"You did not know?" I searched his face for any sign of deception.
"No." He looked genuinely stunned. "Lisa, I swear on everything. We did not sleep together. I would never do that." He paused and his voice dropped lower. "I love you. Only you. I would not jeopardize what we have for a moment of comfort with your friend."
The words hung in the air between us and I felt my chest tighten. He loved me. Adrian loved me and I had no idea what to do with that information because my life was already too complicated. I was pregnant with Ryan's baby. Ryan who had given up his wolf for me. Ryan who was sitting outside my door every night waiting for me to forgive him.
"If it is not you then who?" I pushed the question because I needed answers. "Daniel is my brother. Emma swears nothing happened between her and Ryan. That leaves who? Who else would Emma protect like this?"
Adrian's face grew troubled and he looked away from me toward the window. "There is someone you are not considering. Someone who was with Emma during the rescue planning. Someone she has been protecting for months."
My breath caught in my throat. "Nathan?" But even as I said it I knew it was wrong. Nathan was dead. He had died protecting me from Viktor's rogues.
Adrian shook his head slowly. "No. Marcus Krane. He was working directly with us on the rescue operation. Emma was his liaison with the human authorities and the Council. They spent days together planning and coordinating. I saw them together once and it looked intense. But I thought it was just a strategy discussion."
The world tilted again and I grabbed the bed rail to keep myself steady. Marcus Krane. The Alpha who had tried to claim me through a marriage contract. The man who had shown up to save us from Viktor was only there because he wanted something in return. Emma was pregnant with his baby.
"Does he know?" My voice came out as barely a whisper.
Adrian shrugged and his expression was grim. "I don't know. But it would explain why Emma will not tell you. If Marcus Krane is the father and you find out you would feel obligated to tell him. Emma might be trying to protect you from being tied to him again. Through her baby this time instead of a marriage contract."
I slumped back against the pillows and felt overwhelmed by everything. My best friend was pregnant with the baby of the Alpha who had tried to force me into marriage. Ryan was human now and sitting outside my door because he loved me too much to leave. My own baby might have ancient wolf DNA that would make her a target. And Adrian was sitting here telling me he loved me while I had no idea what I felt about anything anymore.
"This is insane." I closed my eyes and tried to breathe. "My best friend is pregnant with the baby of the Alpha who tried to force me into marriage. Ryan is human now. You are..." I stopped and opened my eyes to look at him. Really look at him. "What are you hiding Adrian? You keep looking at me like you are running out of time."
Adrian's composure cracked and I saw real fear flash across his face. He reached into his jacket and pulled out folded papers. Medical documents. His hands shook slightly as he handed them to me.
"I was going to wait. Find the right moment but you are right. I am running out of time. Literally." He watched me unfold the papers. "I have a genetic condition. Degenerative. Without a mate bond to stabilize it, I have maybe six months. A year if I am lucky."
I read the medical documents and horror grew with every line. Genetic degradation of wolf DNA, progressive weakness, organ failure, and death within twelve months without intervention. The only known cure was a true mate bond. The connection between fated mates could heal even terminal conditions.
"You are dying." The words came out strangled.
Adrian nodded and his face was pale. "I was courting you partly because you could save my life. The silver wolf bloodline is rare enough that bonding with you might stabilize my condition. Give me a chance at survival." He paused and his voice dropped to something raw. "But Lisa I swear I fell in love with you anyway. The mate bond healing would be a bonus. I want you even if it kills me. I would rather have six months with you choosing me freely than a lifetime with you feeling obligated."
My hands shook and the papers fell onto the bed between us. Adrian was dying. He had six months unless he found his fated mate. And he was telling me he loved me while asking for nothing in return. While Ryan sat outside my door having already sacrificed everything.