chapter 137
Lucas's POV:
I was halfway through my notes for the Alpha Alliance meeting when my phone vibrated against the conference table.
Matthew's name flashed on the screen. I frowned, silently excusing myself from the table with a brief nod to the other Alphas.
"This better be important," I said, stepping into the hallway.
"Oh, it is," Matthew's voice came through with that casual tone he used when delivering serious news. "Your little Omega is currently in my medical center. Allergic reaction to morning-after pills."
My grip tightened on the phone, shock and tension coursing through me. "What are you talking about?"
"I'm saying your mate is in a hospital bed because she had an allergic reaction to emergency contraception." His voice turned accusatory. "Seriously, old friend? You're an Alpha who can't be bothered with protection? Just give the girl morning-after pills?"
I felt Duke stirring inside me, a low growl building in my chest. "I never gave her any pills."
"Well, someone did. In your name," Matthew said. "And now she's here, looking like hell. Thought you'd want to know."
I was already walking toward the exit. "I'm on my way. Which room?"
"317. Third floor, west wing," Matthew replied.
"I'll be there in fifteen minutes," I said, ending the call.
I returned briefly to the conference room, informing that an emergency required my immediate attention. The meeting would need to be rescheduled.
---
The antiseptic smell of Moontouch Medical Center hit me as soon as I stepped off the elevator.
Through the partially open door, I could hear Morgan's voice. "Why are you still here anyway? Don't you have doctor things to do?"
"I'm on duty," Matthew responded, his tone flippant. "Considering my friendship with Lucas, I thought I should stay until she stabilized."
"I'm here, and that's enough," Morgan retorted. "I can take care of her just fine without you hovering around."
Matthew's response was cut short as I pushed the door open. His eyes met mine first, relief evident in his expression.
"Lucas," he acknowledged, then glanced at Morgan whose entire demeanor had shifted from confrontational to nervous in an instant.
Her shoulders hunched slightly, and she seemed to make herself smaller in my presence.
My attention turned immediately to Tori lying in the hospital bed.
"How is she?" I asked, my voice tight.
Matthew stepped closer, switching to his professional demeanor. "We got to her in time. Stomach pumped, antihistamines administered. The allergic reaction is under control now. She'll be weak when she wakes up, but there won't be any lasting damage."
"Thank you," I said, the words inadequate for the relief I felt.
Matthew's lips quirked into a half-smile. "As if you two don't give me enough trouble already. You know what would be real gratitude? Fewer emergency visits to my hospital."
He turned to Morgan, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Come on, let's give them some space."
Morgan looked reluctant but followed Matthew out, the door closing softly behind them.
Alone with Tori, I moved to her bedside and took her hand in mine. Her eyes fluttered open, focusing on me with visible effort.
"Sorry, baby," I said quietly, the words feeling strange on my tongue. Apologies weren't something I offered often. "This shouldn't have happened."
Confusion clouded her expression. "What...?" Her voice was hoarse, barely above a whisper.
I tightened my grip on her hand, anger and guilt warring inside me. " I never asked Rose to give you morning-after contraceptives."
Understanding slowly dawned in her eyes.
"I failed to properly screen the staff," I continued, jaw clenching. "This is my responsibility. "
"It's just an allergic reaction," she replied, her voice hoarse. "Not your fault."
I gently pulled her into my arms and cradled her against my chest. My hand moved to her shoulder and neck, stroking gently, an instinctive gesture to comfort my mate.
Jack arrived with a tray of hospital-approved Omega recovery foods, setting it on the side table with a nod before discreetly leaving. I watched as Tori picked at the food, managing only a few bites before setting the fork down.
"You need to eat more," I said, but didn't push.
"I'm okay," Tori murmured, her silver eyes meeting mine with unexpected steadiness. "Please don't worry. "
She took a few more small bites to appease me, then her eyelids began to droop. Within minutes, her breathing deepened as sleep claimed her.
I stood watching her for several moments. This would never happen again.
Morgan returned, hovering uncertainly in the doorway. I beckoned her in.
"Stay with her," I said, my tone making it clear this wasn't a request. "Call me immediately if anything changes with her condition."
Morgan nodded quickly. "Of course."
With one last look at Tori's sleeping form, I left the room.
---
Later, I stood in my living room, a cigarette between my fingers, waiting.
The smoke curled lazily upward as I heard hesitant footsteps approach.
Rose entered, her forehead beaded with sweat, fingers trembling slightly.
"You wanted to see me, Alpha Grayson?"
"Using my name," I said quietly, the calmness of my voice more terrifying than any shouting could be, "to trick my mate into taking contraceptives." I took a long drag from my cigarette. "You've really outdone yourself, Rose."
She stood stiffly by the doorway. "I just thought... an Omega like her shouldn't bear an Alpha's—"
"An Omega like her?" I cut her off, my voice still deadly calm. "You mean the woman who carries my mark? The one I've chosen?"
Rose flinched, her eyes dropping to the floor. "I didn't mean to harm her. I just thought you also didn't want—"
"Enough!" I cut her off, my quiet tone more terrifying than a shout. "You're an Omega too, Rose," I reminded her, watching her flinch at my words.
"You should understand better than anyone the struggles of being at the bottom of our hierarchy. Yet here you are, poisoning one of your own."
I stood, extinguishing my cigarette. "Pack your things. You're done here. And let me make this perfectly clear—no pack in Moonhaven will hire you after this. Not a single one."
Her face crumpled, but I felt nothing.
"Get out of my sight," I said, turning away from her tears. "You have one hour."
As Rose backed out of the room, a cold fury settled deep in my bones. The thought of Tori suffering in my own home—a place where she should have been safest—was something I could never forgive.
The cigarette burned down to my fingers, but I barely felt it.
I would make sure it never happened again. Reaching for my phone, I called Jack.
"I want every staff member thoroughly vetted," I ordered without preamble. "And make it explicitly clear to everyone—Tori Sullivan is to be treated with the same respect they would show me. She is my mate and will be my Luna. Anyone who can't accept that needs to be removed immediately."