Chapter 42: "Without an Alpha his Body won’t hold much Longer..."
Lucien’s POV
The sharp, sterile sting clung to my throat, forcing my eyes open. White ceiling. White silence. A hand raised rested at my side, steady, grounding. I turned and found Aster in the chair beside me, his gaze fixed, his face pale with exhaustion. When he noticed I was awake, he stood quickly, leaning closer, relief softening his features.
"You’re awake," he whispered.
Confusion coiled in me. How had I reached here? The last thing I remembered was sitting in my office, lost in thought; wondering why Ash was taking so long after asking permission to attend the family meeting with Aster. And why Adrian had been so silent since our fight. That wasn’t like him.
Then came the knock. Routine, I thought. The teacher on duty perhaps, reporting on the day’s activities. I had given permission to enter without much thought.
But instead, two men behind the masks, dressed in black, stepped inside with measured strides. Every sense in me screamed danger. Before I could react, the first shot rang out.
The silver bullet tore into my chest, sharp and stripping away my strength in an instant. No matter how powerful I was, silver left me helpless. My breath hitched, legs giving way, and I crumpled to the floor. Warm blood seeped through my shirt, each gasp thinner than the last as the room tilted around me.
As if sensing my last breaths, one of the men leaned closer, his masked face trembling. "I’m sorry," he said, voice low, almost breaking. "I didn’t mean to kill you...but I need the money. My daughter needs surgery. Please....forgive me."
My hand, slick with blood, pressed against the wound on my chest. My voice came out heavy, dragging. "Who...sent you?"
The man hesitated, eyes flicking away. Before he could speak, the other blurted out, "Madam Celeste Johnson."
Shock flickered through me, disbelief colder than the blood leaving my body. Why would my sister want to end my life?
Before I could think more, the second man uncapped a metal container and began pouring Nightglass oil across my office.
"We need to erase the evidence," he muttered as the dark liquid spread. "We can’t risk being found guilty of killing a superior Alpha."
He poured it everywhere as I watched, the sharp smell filling the room while my strength slipped away.
Then, the men struck a match. Flames leapt, catching on the oil, spreading fast across the room. They walked out without looking back.
I lay there, my breath ragged, eyes half-closed, watching the fire hook upward, curling toward me. Heat pressed in. My lips trembled as I whispered, "Ash...I’m dying before I can even fuck you..."
Through the blur, a figure rushed into flames. Ash. My chest eased for a fleeting moment, a faint smile tugging at me. It must be a dream...Ash, could never want me to sleep with him.
The world dimmed. Darkness swallowed everything.
.
I lowered my gaze to myself. The bloodied shirt I remembered had been changed, replaced with clean hospital fabric. My fingers brushed over my chest; where the bullet had torn through me yet there was nothing. No wound, No scar, Nothing but smooth skin.
Disbelief tightened my breath. "Who saved me? I asked, my eyes fixed on Aster.
Before he could answer, the door opened. Doctor stepped inside, his tone brisk. "For now, you shouldn’t worry about other things, Focus on your recovery."
But my thoughts pressed on one point. "Where is Ash?"
The doctor and Aster exchanged a glance; too quick, too careful. Then Aster cleared his throat. "Ash is at his grandmother’s place. She asked for his presence."
I doubted his words, something about them not sitting right.
I steadied my breath, then asked, "What about the accident? Were guilty ones arrested?"
Aster shook his head silently.
Another thought struck me, sharp and heavy. "Do they know I was rescued?"
Aster hesitated, then met my eyes. "By now... the nation is already planning your burial."
My chest tightened. "What?"
He reached into his pocket and placed his phone in my hand. My eyes scanned the screen; headlines flashing in bold.
Alpha Lucien and Beta Ash burnt into ashes.
My vision blurred for a moment. "Me...and Ash?" My voice came out hoarse. I lifted my gaze to them, my throat dry. "Tell me; what happened to him? Did he try to save me? Did he really burn inside?"
Silence pressed between them.
"No...no," I shook my head, forcing the words. "He must be at his grandmother’s place, like you said. Right?"
Aster leaned in, gently pressing me back against the bed. His voice was calm but firm. " Master, you need to rest. I’ll explain everything to you later."
The doctor returned, carrying a small syringe. "Time for your Alpha’s Rest," he said. The sting in my arm was sharp, and before long, a heavy drowsiness dragged me under.
When I woke again, the room was dim with morning light. My body ached faintly, but the deeper pull was in my chest. I pushed myself upright, realizing I needed the bathroom.
As I neared the door, voices carried down the corridor.
"If we delay, Ash may end up losing his life," Doctor’s voice was low, urgent. "Without his fated Alpha, his body won’t hold much longer. We should find him an Alpha and attempt the bond. Perhaps that connection could save him."
My body froze. Ash ...in critical condition? A bond? But...isn’t Ash a Beta?
Aster’s reply came firm. "Give me time. I’ll find him a good Alpha; someone I can trust to lay a hand on my nephew."
Doctor countered, "From my perspective, Alpha Lucien should be the one. They seem tied already their compatibility could be near ninety percent."
Aster cut in quickly. "No. Alpha Lucien is already claimed. He isn’t the right choice."
The word struck me hard. Claimed? To whom?
Then Doctor added, "Ash is on the third floor, Room 306. Bring the Alpha you’ve chosen there before the day ends, or it may be too late."
My chest tightened, every word searing. Another Alpha? No. If anyone is to bond with him, to save his life...it has to be me.
I heard footsteps moving away, then the door creaked open. Aster’s eyes widened slightly when he saw me standing there.
As if reading his unspoken question on his face; aware he might know I’d overhead their conversation with the doctor, I quickly said, "I just woke up...I was heading to the bathroom."
He let out a small sigh of relief. "You’re not steady yet. May I help you?"
I shook my head. "I’m okay."
He nodded once, excusing himself and stepping aside, giving me space.
I slipped out of the room, heading toward the bathroom, my thoughts racing. I have to find a way to escape...to claim what’s mine.
Aster stayed with me the whole day, quietly tending to me until evening. When I drifted half-asleep, I felt him lean closer, his voice a soft murmur.
"Have a good sleep. There’s something important I need to look into. I’ll be back before you wake up."
His footsteps faded as he left the room.
My eyes snapped open, chest tightening. I knew exactly what he was up to.
I pushed myself up, steadying my breath, and slipped out. My steps quickened as I made my way to the third floor-Room 306. I had to complete the healing mission myself before he brought those filthy bastards in.
I slipped into the elevator, pressing for the third floor. The metallic slid shut, enclosing me in a cage of impatience. My heart thudded with every passing second, the weight of what was about to do pressing heavier on my chest.
When the doors finally opened, I stepped out, my eyes locked on the hallway that stretched ahead. My pace quickened, each step carrying me closer to Room 306.
Then, at the turn of the corridor, another set of footsteps echoed. From the opposite side, a figure came into view.
Our eyes clashed the moment we both halted.
Adrian.
My breath stilled, my chest tightening. What’s the Devil doing here...especially now, at this precious moment?
"What are you doing here?" he asked, his voice low but sharp.
"And you?" I shot back, keeping my stance steady.
The air between us thickened, tinged with a subtle, intoxicating note; floral, heady, impossible to ignore. my instincts prickled, every nerve on alert.
We both glanced at the door. Golden pheromones seeped from the frame, shimmering faintly, glowing like molten light, drawing our attention.
Recognition struck us at the same time. Voices barely above a whisper, we murmured in unison: "Ash."
Our hands collided on the door knob as we instinctively reached for it. The door creaked open, and we were immediately hit by a wave of heavy, golden pheromones.
Adrian murmured heavily, his voice low and strained, "He...he’s not a Beta."
I replied, my own voice quiet but certain, "He’s not just a normal Omega..."