Chapter 47
Tori's POV:
"Get in," Lucas said, his voice carrying that unmistakable Alpha command.
I hesitated, shifting my weight from one foot to the other.
"Thank you, but I'm waiting for my ride. The driver should be here any minute."
Lucas's lips curved into a slight smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. "Are you avoiding me, Tori?"
The question hung between us, and I felt my cheeks warm.
Was I that transparent?
"No, of course not," I lied, knowing he could probably smell the deception. "I just don't want to inconvenience you."
"Get in, Tori," he repeated, this time softer.
My feet moved before my brain could protest. I approached the passenger side, opened the door, and slid into the leather seat, immediately enveloped by his scent.
"What are you doing at the estate?" Lucas asked, his tone casual.
"I'm tutoring Leo," I explained, feeling strange about having to account for my presence. "Your sister hired me earlier today."
Lucas nodded, showing no surprise at this information, as if he'd known all along.
He gestured toward an elegant thermos box on the center armrest.
"Your medicine," he said, his tone making it clear he expected me to take it.
I hesitantly reached for the box, opened it, and took out the medicine bowl, feeling his eyes watching my every movement.
"I thought Jack was supposed to deliver the medicine," I said casually, not really caring about the answer but desperate to break the uncomfortable silence that had settled between us.
Lucas's gaze fixed on me intensely, his eyes narrowing slightly.
"Don't want to see me?" he asked directly, his voice low but pointed.
I remained silent, unsure how to answer such a strange question without saying something I'd regret.
Instead, I focused on the medicine, downing the entire bowl in one continuous gulp without even flinching at the bitterness.
"Was it bitter?" he asked.
The unexpected question caught me off guard.
I hesitated, then shook my head, my expression carefully neutral. "No, not bitter."
How could herbal medicine not be bitter? Even the scent alone was enough to make most people recoil.
Without warning, his tall frame leaned slightly toward me.
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small wrapped candy.
"For the bitterness," he said, his voice dropping to a low timbre.
Before I could react, Lucas unwrapped the candy and, in one smooth motion, pressed it gently between my lips.
His fingers brushed deliberately against my lower lip, lingering a moment longer than necessary.
The intimate contact sent an electric shock through my entire body.
I froze, completely unprepared for such a bold gesture.
The sweetness of the candy dissolved on my tongue, but all I could focus on was the lingering warmth where his fingers had touched my lips.
"This way it won't be bitter," Lucas stated matter-of-factly, as if feeding me candy was the most normal thing in the world for an Alpha to do for an Omega he barely knew.
He looked at me calmly, though I could see the amusement hidden in his eyes. "Let's go. I'll take you back."
During the drive to my dormitory, I stared out the window, desperately trying to calm my racing heart.
Tracy was unusually agitated beneath my skin, responding to Lucas's presence in a way that made me uncomfortable.
I focused on my breathing, counting each inhale and exhale, anything to distract myself from the lingering sensation of his fingers against my lips.
When we finally arrived at the dormitory building, I reached for the door handle, eager to escape—only to find it wouldn't budge.
The door was locked.
I glanced at Lucas, trying to mask my confusion.
"I'll be away on business tomorrow," he said suddenly, his eyes fixed on the road ahead rather than on me.
I blinked, momentarily thrown by this unexpected information.
Why was he telling me his schedule? Was he... reporting to me? The thought was so absurd.
"Oh... okay," I managed, not knowing what else to say. My response sounded stiff even to my own ears.
Lucas's eyes lingered on me for a second longer before he nodded slightly.
He pressed a button, and I heard the doors unlock with a soft click.
I muttered a quick thank you and practically sprinted toward my building, not daring to look back.
Once safely in my room, I collapsed onto my bed, my heart still hammering in my chest. Just as I was starting to relax, my phone buzzed with a message.
It was from Lucas: "Wait for me."
Three simple words that sent my pulse racing again.
Wait for him? What did that mean? Was he expecting me to wait until he returned from his trip so he could take me to Elena for a follow-up appointment?
My eyes flickered slightly as I stared at the message, but I set my phone aside without replying.
---
The next morning, I stepped through the school gates, my mind still replaying last night's interaction with Lucas.
I was so lost in thought that I almost didn't notice the tall figure waiting near the entrance until several female students' excited whispers broke through my reverie.
I looked up and froze mid-step.
Ethan Grayson stood just inside the gates, his silver-gray eyes scanning the incoming students until they locked onto me.
Since the mating ceremony, our paths hadn't crossed.
Ethan started walking toward me, his confident stride and aristocratic features drawing admiring glances from students passing by.
He was dressed impeccably as always, his designer clothes accentuating his heritage.
I briefly considered pretending not to see him and walking away, but that might only result in him following and creating a scene.
Instead, I stopped and waited, squaring my shoulders..
"Tori," he said, my name sounding both familiar and foreign on his lips.
I met his gaze coldly. "Do you need something?"
Ethan's eyes softened with concern. "I heard you were injured. Is someone giving you trouble?"
I shook my head, not wanting to engage in conversation with him. What was the point?
"None of your business, since you chose Fiona," I said quietly but firmly. "Then stop trying to act concerned about me. Don't make me lose what little respect I have left for you."
"If I could just—" Ethan began, taking a step closer.
"I'm late for class," I cut him off sharply, not interested in whatever justification or explanation he was about to offer.
Without another word, I turned and walked away.
I didn't look back to see his expression. I didn't need to. Our paths had diverged four years ago, and nothing he could say now would change that reality.
I had barely taken a few steps when my phone vibrated in my pocket.
The name on the screen made my jaw clench: Fiona Price.
Reluctantly, I answered. "What?"
"Hannah's in the hospital," Fiona's voice came through, sounding concerned.
"You should come see her. She's at Moontouch Medical Center, third floor."
I ended the call without saying a word, slipping the phone back into my pocket.
Perfect. Just what I needed to complete this wonderful morning—first Ethan, now this. My mood, already sour, plummeted further.
Even if I did go to the hospital, Hannah wouldn't appreciate my presence.