Claimed by the Alpha's Love (Tori and Lucas) novel Chapter 39

Chapter 39

Tori’s POV:

Pain was the first thing I registered.

A dull throbbing in my head and a sharper, more insistent ache in my right log

The antiseptic smell hit me next.

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I blinked slowly, my vision adjusting to the dim light.

White ceiling. Beeping machines. The soft hum of medical equipment.

Confusion washed over me as I tried to piece together how I’d ended up here.

Then it hit me-the car, the screeching tires, Morgan’s terrified face. I remembered pushing her out of the way, the sickening crunch as metal

collided with my body, and then… nothing.

I was hit by a car. I’m in the hospital.

Tracy, my wolf, stirred anxiously within me. We’re okay, I assured her, though I wasn’t entirely convinced myself.

I shifted slightly, trying to assess the damage.

My right leg felt heavy, probably bandaged or in a cast. As I moved my hand, I realized with a start that someone was holding in

Warm fingers wrapped firmly around mine, keeping me tethered to the world outside my pain.

Turning my head carefully, I froze,

There, slumped in a chair beside my bed, was Alpha Lucas. His head rested at an uncomfortable angle, eyes closed in exhaustion.

Even in sleep, his face maintained that Alpha intensity, though softened fatigue.

What was he doing here? Why would the Alpha of the Grayson Pack be sping in a hospital chair, holding the hand as he barely

knew?

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18:34 Fri, Feb 6

Chapter 39

“You’re awake,” he finally said, his voice low and rough with sleep.

His hand tightened slightly around mine before he seemed to realize he still holding it and slowly ratesied his grip

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“Why are you here?” I asked. It made no sense. Alpha Lacas had no reason it at my bedside, to hold my Hard white I was concione

His eyes met mine, that intense gaze softening slightly.

I’m taking care of you, he stated matter of factly, as though it were the most obvious thing in the world

I blinked, thrown by his directness.

“But why you?

He reached for a cup of water on the bedside table and offered it to me. Es movements were careful, deliberate, as he helped me take a sip

The cool water was a blessing against my parched throat. “Where is Morgan? I asked, suddenly anxious. “Is she–”

“She’s fine, Lucas assured me. “You pushed her out of the way. She wasn injured.”

Relief flooded through me. At least I’d managed to do that much.

“Where is she now?” I asked, glancing around the empty room.

“I sent her home to rest, Lucas said quietly. His tone held that unmistakable Alpha authority that brooked no argument:

“Too many people would disrupt your recovery.”

I blinked in surprise.

If anyone should leave to help me rest, shouldn’t it be the intimidating Alpha i barely know, not my closest friend?-

You sent Morgan away.’ I repeated slowly, but decided to stay yourself? The question came out more bluntly than I’d servaded,

confusion had stripped away my usual caution.

Lacas a expression remained impassive, though something flickered briefly in his eyes,

“Yes, he replied simply, as if that explained everything

The silence stiched between us

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18:34 Fri, Feb 6 BBR

Chapter 39

“What do you want from me?”

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Lucas’s expression shifted, something unidentifiable flickering across his atures. He leaned forward, elbows resting on his knees, his gaze never leaving mine.

Is it really so difficult to believe someone might be concerned about your welfare, Tori?

“Yes, I answered honestly. “Especially when that someone is you.”

A shadow of something-hurt, maybe?-crossed his face before his expression became carefully neutral again.

“What if I told you I like you?”

For a moment, I thought I’d misheard him.

The words seemed so out of place coming from Lucas Grayson’s mouth that my brain struggled to process them.

“What?” I managed, certain I must have misunderstood.

“I like you, Tori Sullivan.” His voice was calm, matter-of-fact, as if he were stating that the sky was blue or water was wet.

I stared at him, waiting for the punchline, for some explanation that would make more sense than the impossible words he’d just spoken.

But his expression remained steady, unwavering.

That s- I shook my head, unable to form a coherent response. “That’s not possible.”

Of all the explanations for Lucas’s behavior toward me, this was the one I never considered, never even imagined. An Alpha-this pha- interested in me? In what universe would that make any sense?

Tracy, usually quick with commentary, was suspiciously quiet.

“Why?” I finally asked, the only word I could force past my lips.

Lucas leaned forward slightly, his eyes never leaving mine. “You need reasons to hate someone, Tori. Not to like them.”

I felt suddenly dizzy, and it had nothing to do with my injuries.

The most powerful Alpha in Moonhaven had just confessed to liking me-n Omega with a criminal record and absolutely nothing to affer someone of his standing.

It was absurd. It was impossible. It was the most unbelievable thing I’d heard in my twenty-one years of life.

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