After She's Terminal The Alpha Regrets (Elaine and Lucas) novel Chapter 11

Chapter 11

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Chapter 11

Liam walked into Lucas’s office before lunch without waiting to be announced.

“Lucas,” Liam said, hands in his pockets. “I met someone.”

“You meet someone every weekend,” Lucas said, still annotating the speech for that night’s diplomatic dinner.

“Not like this.”

There was no grin in his voice. That made Lucas set down his pen. (1

“All right,” he said. “Tell me.”

Liam stopped in front of the desk. “I want her.”

“That has never been rare.”

“I want her as my mate.”

Lucas went still.

Liam had been an unmated Alpha by choice for ten years. He flirted, he charmed, he drifted in and out of women’s lives with very little damage done because he never promised more than he meant. But he had always said that if he ever took a mate, it would be for life.

“My wolf says she isn’t fated,” Liam said. “I don’t care. I’d choose her anyway.” (3

Lucas leaned back in his chair. “You said something dramatic like that about the singer in Belgrade.” 1

“No,” Liam said at once. “I said I wanted to keep sleeping with the singer in Belgrade. I’m telling you I want to build a life with this woman. That’s not the same thing.”

Lucas studied him for a moment. “You’re serious.”

“Very.”

“Then go after her.”

“I am.” Liam rubbed his jaw. “Carefully.” (1

Lucas gave him a dry look. “That alone tells me something is wrong with you.”

Liam laughed once. “Exactly. That’s how I know this is real,”

The old clock above the bookshelf ticked softly in the silence. Lucas watched his oldest friend pace once and stop again like a restless boy instead of one of the region’s strongest Alphas.

“If you mean it,” Lucas said at last, “be careful with her.”

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Liam’s expression settled. “I will. If she lets me near her, I’ll cherish her.”

He said it simply, but Lucas heard the truth in it. A small bitter feeling twisted in his chest, and he turned slightly toward the window before it could show on his face.

A knock interrupted them. Kyle stepped in carrying a folio.

“Alpha, we need final confirmation for the diplomatic dinner. The Luna’s gown still hasn’t been cleared for the press packet.” 2

Lucas reached for the folio, then stopped. “Call Elaine.”

Kyle hesitated. “I already tried. At eight. Again at nine. Again at half past ten.”

Lucas frowned. “And?”

“No response, Alpha.”

That was enough to make him reach for the bond himself.

It felt thin. Frayed. A cord worn down by years of strain.

He had not initiated contact in months. That had been Elaine’s habit, Elaine’s duty, Elaine’s quiet labor. Elaine checking schedules. Elaine confirming menus. Elaine asking whether the chef should prepare lamb or venison. Elaine keeping their bond functioning even when the marriage behind it had long since gone cold.

The line connected instantly.

Elaine, he thought, irritation already rising. “Where are you? The diplomatic dinner is tonight. I need you at the residence by five for -”

“No.”

Her voice came through cool and clear.

Lucas froze. “Elaine?”

“I’ve stepped down,” she said. “The paperwork was filed this morning. I left it beside the separation papers. You’ll see it when you go home.”

His fingers tightened on the desk. “Elaine, this dinner is important. Whatever this is, we can discuss it later. Right now, I need you to do your job.”

“It isn’t my job anymore.”

“Elaine.”

“And don’t mindlink me again.”

The bond closed.

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Across the city, Elaine sat at Harriet’s kitchen island in jeans and one of Harriet’s old sweaters, sleeves rolled to the elbows. Her phone lay face down on the marble. A cup of black tea warmed her hands.

The mindlink had taken more out of her than she had expected.

Her wolf felt thin and weak beneath her ribs, and a metallic tightness lingered at the back of her throat. Severing the bond had not been painless. In her current condition, it had cost her more than it should have.

“Lu?” Harriet turned and frowned. “You all right?”

“Just thirsty.”

“Your eyes went blank for a second. Was that Lucas?”

Elaine took a sip of tea before answering. “He wanted the gown confirmed for tonight.”

“And?”

“I told him I’d stepped down.”

Harriet froze. “You told him over mindlink?”

“He hadn’t read the paperwork.”

“The same paperwork you left with the separation petition?”

“Yes.”

Harriet stared at her for a moment, then came around the island and rested a hand on the back

of Elaine’s neck. She had been comforting her this way since they were children. 1

“Are you all right?”

“I’m tired.”

Harriet narrowed her eyes. “Tired, or tired tired?”

“Just tired.”

Elaine held her gaze for two seconds, then looked down at the marble.

“It’s been a long two days,” she said quietly.

Harriet sighed. “Drink your tea. Then eat something with iron in it. You look pale.”

Elaine obeyed, if only to avoid further questions.

While refilling the kettle, Harriet said, “The transfer closed yesterday. Your personal assets are

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Chapter 11

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under your mother’s maiden name now. Your stepmother can’t see the accounts. The Pack can’t touch them.”

“Good.”

“And for the lower-ranking wolves, you’re right. It should be a proper foundation, not a handful of private favors.”

Elaine nodded. “It needs structure. A board. Protection.”

“And political weight,” Harriet said. “Which means we need someone powerful attached to it.” 1

Elaine stared into her tea. “There’s only one person I’d ask.”

Harriet glanced over. “Adrian.”

“Yes.”