CHAPTER 52: THE RESULT! 2

Dr Patel’s smile widened. "I’m aware of Lila’s situation. If that’s part of your conditions, I’m sure we can include her care in the contract. The government takes these matters seriously."

Elias’s shoulders relaxed slightly, a spark of hope igniting in his chest. But then Dr Patel continued, his tone careful.

"There’s one more thing. If you sign the contract, the government will require you to find a partner with a compatibility score above 50%. It’s for your health. As a dominant omega, your heats are more intense, and suppressing them for too long could weaken you significantly. A compatible partner helps stabilise your cycles."

Elias’s hope flickered, his stomach twisting again. "Wait... you mean I’d have to be with someone I don’t even know? I don’t get a say in that?"

Dr Patel’s expression softened.

"You’d have a say, to an extent. The government would match you with someone compatible, and you’d have time to build a relationship. It’s not about forcing you into anything... It’s about ensuring your health and... safety. Without a partner, your heats could become dangerous, especially given your already fragile constitution."

Elias’s hands tightened around the blanket, his mind racing. He didn’t want to be tied to a stranger, not when he was still figuring out his own feelings. He handed the tablet back to Dr Patel, his voice quiet but firm. "I need time to think about this."

Dr Patel nodded, pulling a sleek black card from his pocket and handing it to Elias.

"Of course. Take all the time you need. This is my contact information. The government will keep an eye on you for your safety, but if you change your mind, call me. We’ll work out the details."

Elias stared at the card, his fingers tracing the golden design embossed on it.

’Is this real gold?’ he wondered, the absurdity of the thought grounding him for a moment. He nodded, tucking the card into his pocket. "Thanks, Dr Patel."

The doctor stood, adjusting his coat. "Rest for now. You’re stable, but you’ll need to take your suppressants regularly. I’ll check on you again before you leave." He paused at the door, glancing back. "And Elias? Don’t feel pressured about the contract. It’s your choice."

Elias nodded, but his mind was a whirlwind. As Dr Patel left, Elias leaned back against the pillows, his thoughts drifting to Lila.

’If I sign this, she’d be taken care of. But a partner? I can’t even think about that right now.’ He closed his eyes, exhaustion creeping in.

.

.

Outside, Jace paced the hallway, his hands stuffed in his pockets. The sterile white walls and fluorescent lights did nothing to calm his nerves.

45.5%.

The number echoed in his mind, each repetition a fresh stab of disappointment. He’d been so sure... so hopeful... that the test would confirm what he felt. He cared about Elias, more than he’d ever cared about anyone.

’Why isn’t it enough?’

He stopped pacing, leaning against the wall and running a hand through his hair.

’Is it because he doesn’t feel the same?’ The thought made his chest ache. He’d seen the way Elias hesitated, the way he pulled back when things got too close.

’Maybe he doesn’t want me. Maybe that’s why the score was so low.’

The door to the waiting room opened, and Mrs Voss stepped out, her expression a mix of concern and determination. "Jace, what happened? Shouldn’t you be with Elias? Why are you out?"

Jace’s jaw tightened, his voice low. "The test. It was only 45.5%. It’s not enough, Mom. We can’t be together."

Mrs Voss’s eyes softened, but her voice was firm. "Jace, compatibility isn’t everything. You care about him, don’t you?"

"Of course I do," Jace snapped, his frustration spilling over. "But he doesn’t feel the same way. That’s why the score’s so low, isn’t it? Because it’s one-sided."

Mrs Voss sighed, placing a hand on his arm. "You don’t know that for sure. Give him time. He’s been through a lot today."

Jace shook his head, his fists clenching. "I don’t know if I can. I thought... I thought this was it, you know? That we’d be a match, and I could protect him. Now what?"

Mrs Voss’s expression hardened.

"Now we keep him safe, no matter what. If you’re not a match, we’ll find another way. Ethan or Leo could..."

"No," Jace cut her off, his voice sharp. "I don’t want them near him. He’s not some prize to be passed around."

Mrs Voss raised an eyebrow, but her tone was calm. She had no idea Jace felt this way. It felt too serious.

"I understand how you feel, but we need to think about what’s best for Elias. If he’s a dominant omega, he needs protection. And a compatible partner."

Jace’s stomach twisted, anger and jealousy flaring. "I can protect him. I don’t need a test to tell me that."

"I know," Mrs Voss said softly. "But you need to talk to him. Really talk to him. Find out what he wants."

Jace nodded, but his heart wasn’t in it. He turned away, his eyes fixed on the door to Elias’s room.

’Find out what he wants? What do you want, Elias? Does he even know what he wants?’ he thought, his chest tight.

.

Back in the room, Elias sat up after the doctor left, his thoughts still spinning. He wanted to see Lila, to make sure she was okay, but the weight of the day was overwhelming. He glanced at the door, wondering where Jace had gone.

He swung his legs over the side of the bed, testing his strength. The suppressant had worked, but he still felt shaky, his body reminding him of its fragility. He reached for his bag, pulling out his phone to check for messages, but all he could see were messages from the class group chat, talking about him.

The door opened, and Jace stepped back inside, his expression softer but still tense. "Hey," he said, his voice quieter now.

"Sorry for storming out. I just... needed a minute."

Elias nodded, his voice soft. "It’s okay. I get it. The test... it wasn’t what you wanted."

Jace sat on the edge of the bed, his hands clasped tightly.

"Yeah. I thought we’d be a match. I thought..." He trailed off, his eyes meeting Elias’s. "Do you even want this? Us, I mean?"

Elias’s cheeks flushed, and he looked away, his fingers twisting the blanket.

"I... I don’t know, Jace. You’ve been amazing to me, and I care about you. But I don’t think I’m ready for... for more than that. Not right now."

Jace’s face fell, but he nodded, his voice barely above a whisper.

"It’s okay. I get it. I just... I really like you, Elias. I thought maybe you felt the same."

"I do care about you," Elias said quickly, his voice earnest. "You’re my friend, Jace. You’ve done so much for me, and I’m grateful. I just... I need time to figure things out. With Lila, with everything."

Jace forced a small smile, though his eyes were still clouded with disappointment.

"Yeah, I get it. Friends, then. For now."

Elias nodded, relief mixing with guilt. "For now."

They sat in silence for a moment, the tension between them easing slightly. Jace reached out, hesitating before resting a hand on Elias’s shoulder.

"Whatever happens, I’m still here for you. You know that, right?"

Elias’s eyes stung, and he nodded. "Yeah. I know."

Jace stood, rubbing the back of his neck.

"I’ll go check with the doctor, see when you can leave. You probably want to see your sister."

"Yeah," Elias said, his voice soft. "Thanks, Jace."

As Jace stepped out, Elias leaned back against the pillows, his mind racing. The contract, the matching test, Jace’s feelings... it was all too much to think about. He pulled the black card from his pocket, staring at the golden design.

’A house, security, Lila’s treatment... but a partner I don’t know?’ He didn’t know what to choose, and the weight of the decision pressed down on him.