Chapter 55
Tori's POV:
I tugged my new down coat tighter around me as the winter air bit at my exposed skin.
The jacket had been my one indulgence with part of the restaurant compensation money—a long, insulated parka that actually kept me warm.
The rest of the funds went straight to Grandmother's account.
As I approached the gate, I spotted Lucas himself leaning against his sleek black car.
My wolf, Tracy, stirred with interest inside me.
Down, girl, I mentally chided her.
Lucas straightened when he saw me, his blue eyes appraising me with that unsettling intensity.
"Your wrists," he said without preamble, taking my hand before I could react.
His warm fingers encircled my wrist, which did indeed look thinner than it had a month ago. "You've lost weight. Haven't you been eating properly?"
I pulled my hand back, uncomfortable with how my skin tingled where he'd touched me. "I eat fine," I said, though my voice lacked conviction.
His jaw tightened. "We'll discuss that later. The appointment with Elena is in twenty minutes."
I blinked in surprise. "Appointment? What appointment?"
"Your follow-up check-up," Lucas said matter-of-factly, opening the passenger door for me. "Elena messaged that your last batch of herbs should be finished by now. She needs to reassess your condition."
I stood frozen for a moment.
Lucas had just returned from a "super important business trip," and the first thing he'd done was arrange a medical appointment for me?
As we pulled away from the school, I snuck glances at his profile.
He looked tired, with faint shadows under his eyes suggesting he hadn't slept well during his trip. Yet here he was, personally driving me to see Elena instead of sending Jack.
I didn't know what to make of this—of him.
Elena, the silver-haired healer with piercing silver eyes, received us in her consultation room.
She checked my energy pathways, examined the color of my eyes in different lighting, and asked detailed questions about my symptoms.
"Your spirit and wolf connection has improved since your last visit," she finally declared. "I will prepare a stronger remedy this time."
I nodded, grateful for her expertise.
Elena glanced toward Lucas, who stood silently against the far wall.
"Alpha," she said with a polite smile, "would you mind giving us a few minutes of privacy? There are some female-specific aspects I need to discuss with Tori."
Lucas's eyes narrowed slightly, but he nodded. "I'll wait in the reception area."
As soon as the door closed behind him, Elena turned to me with a knowing look that made me uncomfortable.
"Your energy is stronger when he's near you," she said quietly. "Did you notice that?"
I frowned. "What do you mean?"
"The pathways between your human and wolf sides flow more naturally in his presence." Elena moved closer, her voice dropping. "Your healing would progress much faster if you spent more time with Alpha Grayson."
Heat rushed to my face. "You misunderstand. We're not..." I trailed off, suddenly unsure how to define what we actually were.
Acquaintances seemed too distant. Friends didn't quite fit either. Benefactor and charity case? The thought made me wince.
"We don't have that kind of relationship," I finally said, though the words sounded hollow even to my own ears.
Elena raised a silver eyebrow. "And what kind of relationship do you have?"
"He's just..." I gestured vaguely, "helping me. Temporarily."
Elena shrugged, seemingly unbothered by my denial. "The body doesn't lie, Tori. And neither does the wolf. But you'll understand in your own time."
She turned away to prepare a small pouch of herbs.
"It's not my place to interfere," Elena continued, handing me the pouch. "But as your healer, I recommend more time stay with him."
A smile played at her lips as she added in a whisper, "It's just a matter of time anyway."
I took the herbs with a nod and stopped arguing. Elena called Lucas back in, gave him a few instructions about the dosage, and we said our goodbyes.
As we walked back to the car, Lucas glanced at me.
"What did Elena want to discuss in private?"
I hesitated, debating whether to share Elena's strange advice.
Part of me wanted to keep it to myself, but another part—the part that was tired of secrets and half-truths—pushed me toward honesty.
"She said my energy pathways flow better when you're nearby," I finally admitted, watching his reaction carefully. "She recommended I spend more time with you. For healing purposes."
I expected surprise, confusion, maybe even discomfort. Instead, Lucas's lips curved into a subtle smile, satisfaction gleaming in his eyes.
"Elena is very perceptive," he said, opening the car door for me. "I agree with her assessment."
I stared at him, puzzled by his calm acceptance.
"Why would you agree? Don't you find it strange that she's basically prescribing your company as medicine?"
Lucas's expression remained unreadable as he walked around to the driver's side and slid in beside me.
He didn't start the car immediately. Instead, he turned to face me, his silver eyes studying my face with an intensity that made my heart beat faster.
Several seconds passed in silence before he finally sighed, a sound so soft I almost missed it.
"One day, you'll understand," he said, his voice low and controlled.
Frustration bubbled up inside me at his cryptic non-answer. Always these vague statements, these hints at something I wasn't privy to. I was tired of feeling like I was stumbling blindly through a game whose rules everyone but me understood.
I took a deep breath, gathering my resolve.
This needed to be said. We weren't even from the same world—he was an Alpha from one of the most powerful packs, and I was an Omega with a criminal record and no pack protection. Whatever this was between us, it couldn't lead anywhere good.
"Alpha, I think we should—"
I made the mistake of looking up and meeting his gaze directly.
The intensity in those eyes stole the words from my throat. There was something there—something powerful and unguarded—that made my carefully prepared speech evaporate.
"You should what?" he prompted when I fell silent.
I swallowed hard, my courage deserting me. "Nothing. It's fine."
He studied me for another moment before turning away to start the car.
Tracy whined inside me, sensing my unease.
I'll text him later, I told myself as we pulled away from the clinic. It'll be easier to maintain my resolve when I'm not sitting next to him, drowning in his scent and presence.