After She's Terminal The Alpha Regrets (Elaine and Lucas) novel Chapter 173

Elaine looked over her shoulder at the sound of her name. She felt first the concern that radiated through the mate bond, then saw Lucas second. He was hurrying toward them as Liam held the door open..

Elaine heard Liam sigh heavily as he let the door close.

“You’re here,” Lucas said, looking her up and down as if checking her condition himself. “Why?”

Elaine shifted on her feet. So many times before, she’d wanted to tell Lucas about her illness. Had tried to him. Each time he’d failed to understand, even when she thought he might actually listen.

But Lucas wasn’t much of a listener. He only ever heard what he wanted to hear.

The silence must have been telling of her hesitation because Liam stepped up. “A checkup. She went through a lot that night.”

He didn’t need to explain which night. They all knew.

Lucas nodded solemnly, though kept his gaze on Elaine. “And you’re healing as expected?”

“Not exactly,” Elaine said. Liam looked down at her, perhaps expecting her to try and explain her illness once more. He assumed it would be the quickest way to try and end all of this. That’s not what she did. She continued, Lucas, we need to talk.”

Lucas shrugged his shoulders. “We’re talking now.”

44

“I’m serious.” She took a step closer to him, trying to will him to understand the severity of the situation. “About our mate bond.”

Lucas‘ shoulders tensed. He recalled the conversation in the hospital, and his expression darkened. Though he did not yet speak. He let Elaine confirm what he already suspected she wanted to talk about.

“We still need to reject each other.”

Elaine expected to feel his anger flair through the bond once more, but it doesn’t. Instead, she feels a deep sadness radiate through it. A sorrow she never thought him capable of.

Lucas turned his gaze briefly away from her, collecting himself.

“We’ve been divorced for a while now. We cannot stay bonded forever. Lucas, please,” Elaine said.

“We can’t just…” Lucas took a breath, steadying himself. “It’s not as easy as saying it, Elaine. And I will not let you go so easily.” 2

She glared at him. “I cannot stay attached to you forever. You know that! We need to both move on, no matter what you’re feeling now.” 2

“Is that why you’ve cut your hair?” Lucas mused. “To try and become someone new? To move on?”

“Don’t make this harder than it needs to be!”

“Lucas.” Liam stood at Elaine’s side, eyes narrowed. He’d force Lucas to break this bond if he could, Elaine needed it gone. Yet Lucas never was one to see sense.

“Do not assume to pressure me,” Lucas said, finally meeting Liam’s gaze. They’d used to be such good friends. Now he rarely saw Liam as that these days. “You have no say in this.”

173

Chap

+20 BONUS

Elaine shook her head, interrupting any argument Liam might have had. “Can you at least think about it? I’m not getting any better, Lucas. The doctor said I likely won’t be.”

That made him go quiet. He still had no idea she was sick, so it confused him as to why she wouldn’t be recovering from this. Was she lying to him at all?

“T–”

“Lucas, there you are!” Ayla said, bounding over to them from where she’d emerged from the hallway.

Elaine and Liam both stiffened. The Alpha positioned himself slightly in front of Elaine while Ayla took Holdo Lucas‘ arm and leaned heavily against him. “Oh, darling, you had me worried! You weren’t waiting…”

“Ayla,” Liam practically growled the name.

The lie was as sweet as salt.