chapter 92
Tori's POV:
My heart pounded against my ribs as I rushed through the sliding doors of Moontouch Medical Center.
The antiseptic smell hit me immediately, mixing with the underlying scents of pain and anxiety that always lingered in hospitals.
I barely noticed the curious glances from the staff as I hurried to the reception desk.
"Alpha Lucas," I said, my voice cracking. "He was brought in after a car accident."
The receptionist's eyes widened slightly at the name before she typed something into her computer. "Fourth floor, east wing surgical ward. The elevator is—"
I was already moving before she finished.
Every second felt like an eternity as the elevator climbed, my mind racing with terrible possibilities. The family ring Lucas had given me just hours ago felt heavy on my finger, a reminder of promises that might now hang in the balance.
When the doors finally opened, I spotted Ethan immediately.
He sat hunched over in a plastic chair in the waiting area, elbows on knees, head in hands. Even from a distance, the scent of guilt and alcohol emanated from him.
He looked up as I approached, his eyes red-rimmed and haunted.
"Tori..." His voice was barely more than a whisper, rough with emotion.
Before I could respond, Matthew Howard emerged from a set of double doors, still dressed in surgical scrubs. My body went rigid with fear.
"How is he?" I asked, the words rushing out.
"The surgery is still in progress," he said, keeping his voice measured. "We're doing everything we can, but I can't give you a definitive assessment just yet. "
Seeing the raw anxiety on my face, Matthew's professional demeanor softened slightly.
"Don't worry, Tori. Lucas is an Alpha - his constitution is far stronger than most. His healing abilities are exceptional, and his body is already fighting back. He won't have any serious problems."
Anxiety still twisted in my stomach.
"How much longer will the surgery take?"
"Another hour, at least. We want to be thorough." He glanced at his watch. "Why don't you sit down? I'll come find you as soon as we're done."
After Matthew disappeared back through the doors, I reluctantly took a seat beside Ethan, leaving one chair between us.
The silence stretched uncomfortably until he finally spoke.
"This is my fault," Ethan said, his voice hoarse. "I was drunk. I confronted him about..." He swallowed hard, glancing at me. "About you."
I stared down at my hands. "Jack told me Lucas tried to save you."
Ethan let out a bitter laugh. "Save me? I was driving like a maniac. He saw I was going to crash and... he positioned his car to take the impact instead." His voice broke.
"After everything I said to him, he still..." He shook his head, turning to face me with remorse etched across his features. "Tori, I'm so sorry. This never should have happened."
I didn't answer. My gaze remained fixed on the operating room doors, my body tense with anticipation.
The fluorescent lights buzzed overhead as midnight approached. The hallway had emptied except for us and an occasional nurse passing by.
"If it had been me in there," Ethan said suddenly, breaking the silence, "would you be this worried?"
The question caught me off guard. I looked at him directly for the first time since sitting down.
"No," I answered honestly. "I'd be concerned, but not like this."
Ethan's expression hardened, pain flashing in his eyes. "You're really cruel to me, Tori."
After a brief silence, he continued, "You're in love with him, aren't you?"
My chest tightened. "I don't know." I twisted the ring on my finger. "But yes, I... I care for him deeply."
"He gave you his family ring," Ethan observed, his eyes lingering on my hand. It wasn't a question.
"Tonight," I confirmed. "Right before you arrived."
Ethan leaned back in his chair, eyes fixed on the ceiling. "You haven't told him, have you? About the four years you were exiled for allegedly attacking Noah Morris?"
I felt like I couldn't breathe. "No," I whispered. "I was planning to tell him tonight, but..." The words hung in the air, everything left unsaid.
Ethan gave a self-deprecating smile.
"When he wakes up, make sure you tell him everything, Tori. Don't hold anything back." He shook his head, resignation evident in his voice. "You're his fated mate after all. You two are destined to be together, whether I like it or not."
I looked at his face, recognizing the complex emotions warring behind his eyes.
"But I can't bring myself to wish you both happiness," he admitted, his voice strained. "I should, I know that, but I just can't."
I sighed softly, feeling a mixture of sympathy and frustration.
"Ethan, you need to let go of the past. It's time to move forward."
The hours crawled by until finally, around 3 AM, the double doors opened again. Matthew emerged, looking tired but relieved.
"The surgery was successful," he announced. "We've moved him to recovery. He'll be unconscious for a while, but his vitals are strong."
The tight band around my chest loosened slightly at the sight of him breathing.
Ethan and I rose simultaneously, following the medical team as they transferred Lucas into his recovery room.
I pulled a chair close to his bed, sitting where I could easily reach his hand. Without thinking, I entwined my fingers with his, as if the connection might somehow speed his recovery.
Ethan stood at the foot of the bed, watching my movements with a pained expression.
After several minutes of silence, he said quietly, his voice rough.
"If things had gone differently, Tori," he asked quietly, "would you have blamed me forever?"