Chapter 18 LUCIAN
LUCIAN’S POV
Move! Somebody help me!”
My voice tore through the sterile corridor as I burst into the pack hospital, Aria was limp in my arms. Her skin burned against me, her breathing shallow and uneven. Every step I took felt too slow, every second a lifetime.
“She’s burning up–she just–she collapsed…”
“Lucian!”
I turned to see a familiar figure rushing from one of the adjoining rooms, white coat flaring behind him, stethoscope swinging. It was Uncle Orion. Relief hit me so hard my knees nearly buckled.
“Over here!” he barked, waving at the nurses. “Get a room ready, now!”
They guided me down the hall, and I barely noticed the blur of movement around us, nurses wheeling equipment, monitors flashing to life, the scent of antiseptic flooding my nose.
I laid Aria down gently on the bed, my hands trembling. Her hair clung to her face, damp with sweat. I brushed it back, my chest tightening as her head lolled weakly to the side.
“Lucian, out,” Orion said firmly.
“No-no, I’m not leaving her.”
He didn’t even look up from where he was fitting a pulse monitor to her finger. “You’ll only be in the way. I need space to work.”
“Uncle, please…”
“Lucian. Out.”
The authority in his voice was unyielding and it successfully broke through the fog in my head. I hesitated, my gaze darting back to Aria as the machines beeped to life, steady and haunting.
Then I nodded stiffly and stepped back, the door shutting behind me with a soft click that somehow sounded like a verdict.
Outside, I sank into the nearest chair. My hands wouldn’t stop shaking.
Varos stirred in my head, his voice low but steady. “You did the right thing bringing her here.”
“I should’ve come sooner,” I muttered, pressing the heels of my hands against my eyes. “I knew something was wrong, I could feel it and I just…” My voice cracked. “I didn’t want to push her. I didn’t want to scare her off.”
“You were trying to respect her space,” Varos said gently. “She’s your mate, and you did the right thing.”
“But she needed me.” I slammed my fist against my knee, the sound echoing off the walls. “And I wasn’t there.”
For a moment, silence filled the corridor thick, suffocating. Only the faint beeps from behind the door reminded me she was still there, still breathing.
“She’ll be fine,” Varos murmured. “She’s strong.”
I nodded numbly, but the words didn’t reach me. Not really.
Time blurred, seconds, minutes, maybe an hour. Then the door creaked open, and Uncle Orion stepped out. His expression was calm but grave, which somehow scared me more than if he’d looked panicked.
“Lucian,” he said quietly. “Come with me.”
I followed him to his office, the door clicking shut behind us.
He studied me for a long moment, then asked, “She’s your mate, isn’t she?”
I swallowed hard. “Yes.”
“And she’s an Omega?”
I hesitated for a split second before nodding. “She is.”
He exhaled heavily, rubbing a hand over his jaw. “Then that explains it.”
My heart sank. “Explains what?”
He motioned for me to sit. “Your Omega–Aria–is taking suppression pills. From the chemical traces in her blood, she’s been on them for some time. Normally, they’re safe in moderate doses, but… not for someone who’s found their mate.”
I blinked. “What are you saying?”
Orion leaned forward, his eyes sharp with concern. “Those pills are meant to mute her nature, to suppress heat cycles, instincts, pheromones–everything that makes her what she is. But now that she’s found you, her instincts have strengthened. Her body is rejecting the suppression. It’s like poison to her system now.”
I felt the blood drain from my face. “Poison?”
“Slow-acting, yes,” he said. “But dangerous if she continues. Her vitals were unstable when you brought her in. She’s lucky you got her here in time.”
I dragged a hand through my hair, breath catching. “I knew she was taking them,” I admitted hoarsely. “I didn’t like it but I didn’t want to push. She’s been through enough, I could see it. I didn’t want to be another person trying to control her.”
Orion’s expression softened slightly. “You did the right thing by not forcing her. But now she needs to stop, or the side effects will worsen. Her body can’t fight her own nature anymore.”
I swallowed hard. “Will she be okay?”
“She will,” he said, voice steady. “She’s resting now. Once the drugs are flushed out, she’ll regain her strength. But she’ll need to be monitored for a while.”
Relief hit me so suddenly it almost hurt. I leaned back in the chair, exhaling shakily. “Thank the Goddess.”
After a beat, I asked quietly, “Can I see her?”
Orion nodded. “Yes. She’s stable now.”
\---
The room was quiet when I entered. Only the soft hum of machines filled the air. Aria lay there, pale and fragile-looking against the white sheets, an IV running into her arm.
I pulled up a chair and sat beside her, reaching for her hand. It was warm, too warm but alive. That was enough.
“I’m sorry,” I whispered, fingers brushing her knuckles. “I should’ve come sooner. I should’ve…” My voice cracked again. “You scared the hell out of me, Aria.”
Her lashes fluttered, just barely. Then slowly, hazily, her eyes opened.
“Lucian…?”
The sound of my name on her lips nearly undid me. “Hey,” I breathed, leaning forward. “You’re okay. You’re safe.”
She blinked, confusion flickering in her gaze. “What happened?”
“You passed out,” I said softly. “You had a bad reaction to your pills.”
She frowned, guilt flashing across her face. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to inconvenience you this much, i…”
“Hey, no.” I cut her off gently, brushing a thumb over her hand. “You never have to apologize. You’re not an inconvenience. Not to me.”
Something in her eyes softened at that, her lips parting slightly like she wanted to say something but couldn’t find the words.
Then her gaze dropped. “The pills…”
“Yeah,” I murmured. “About that…”
Before I could continue, the door opened and Orion stepped in. He smiled faintly. “Good to see you awake, Aria. You’re free to go if you’re feeling up to it. But I’d advise you to stop the suppressants. They’re doing more harm than good now.”
Her jaw tightened, shame flickering across her expression. Orion was about to explain further, but I stood quickly. “I’ll tell her the rest, Uncle.”
He nodded once, understanding, and left the room.
Silence settled again.
Aria turned her face away slightly. “You know now.”
“I do.”
“And you probably think I’m weak.”
“Never,” I said instantly. “I think you’ve survived more than most could bear.”
Her throat bobbed as she swallowed hard. “Lucian…”
“Don’t,” I said softly. “You’re coming with me.”
Her eyes widened. “What?”
“You’re not staying here alone anymore,” I said, voice firm. “You’ll stay at the pack house. I’m not leaving you unprotected.”
“Lucian, that’s not…”
“I’m not asking,” I cut in gently but firmly. “You can argue later. For now, you need rest. And I need to know you’re safe.”
For a long moment, she just stared at me, eyes wide and unsure, then she nodded faintly.
I reached out and tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear, my voice lowering. “You’re not alone anymore, Aria. Not ever again.”
And as she leaned slightly into my touch, I made a silent vow to the moon itself,
Whatever it took, I would keep her safe.