The Luna Queen's Rebirth (Ellie and Dominic) novel Chapter 32

I change the subject before he can ask more questions.

“So… I wanted your help. The Healer Academy. Tell me the truth, can you help me get in? Division exams already ended, I know.”

Lucas taps his fingers thoughtfully. “You? A healer? You could always ask Ryan,” he says with a perfectly straight face.

I give him the sharpest look in my arsenal.

He cracks, laughing. “Kidding, kidding. Actually… my cousin got in once. It’s tough, though. You basically have to be a combat medic. And be recommended.”

“Meaning?”

“Meaning,” he continues, “it’s not the medicine part that kills people. It’s the fighting. You heal during battle. You run toward the danger. Need to hold your own.”

I nod once. “That won’t be a problem.” My voice is firm, steady. Maybe a little sharper than I expected. I was sure of this.

He blinks like he’s just seeing me clearly for the first time. “Yeah. I guess it won’t. I guess… I can help you out.”

We keep talking. He’s a lot more teasey than I expected, tossing out flirty one-liners with that easy smile of his. I can see why he has the reputation he does.

I want to shut it down, but to be honest, I don’t know what to do with it. And, I don’t hate it. So it just… exists.

Something light. Something that doesn’t take anything from me. God, it’s been a long time since anyone made me feel normal.

He taps his water bottle against mine like we’re toasting. “So,” he says, smirking, “how does it feel being the school’s number-one scandal?”

I snort. “Overrated. Zero stars. Would not recommend.”

“Oh, I don’t know…” He leans back casually. “If I were destined to be with you, I wouldn’t be complaining.”

I choke. “Lucas.”

“What? I’m just saying.” He raises his eyebrows. “You’re cute when you glare.”

“Do you flirt with everyone like this?”

“Only the pretty ones.”

I roll my eyes, but for once, it’s not because I’m annoyed. “You realize that line is ancient, right?”

“Yeah, but it worked, didn’t it?”

I narrow my eyes. “It absolutely did not.”

He grins. “You’re smiling.”

I cover my mouth immediately. “No, I’m not.”

“Liar,” he says softly, nudging my shoulder with his. “But don’t worry. I won’t tell the ‘paparazzi’ you enjoy my company.”

I lean in for a quick hug—just polite, friendly—and when I pull back, Lucas smirks sideways like he’s sees something, like he’s about to stir trouble.

Before I can even question it, he presses a quick kiss to my cheek.

I’m still mid-blink when—

THUD.

A basketball hits the ground near us, bouncing once before rolling away.

I turn.

Dominic stands at the gym doors with his friends, frozen mid-step. His hand is still half-lifted from where he dropped the ball. His jaw is tight. His eyes—those sharp eyes—are locked on the exact spot Lucas’s lips just touched.

His friends look between us like they’re witnessing a public execution in slow motion.

Lucas gives a tiny wave. “Hey, Dom.”

Dominic doesn’t respond.

He’s staring at me like the world tilted sideways and he’s the only one who felt the jolt.

I don’t look away. But I don’t like the feeling in my stomach.