"...and that''s how we met," I finish, my heart racing as I watch Lucas''s face for any sign of recognition. His brow furrows slightly, a look of concentration I''ve seen a hundred times before. But there''s no spark of memory in his eyes, no sudden realization.


    "That''s... quite a story," he says. His tone is polite, interested even, but it''s clear the tale doesn''t resonate with him on a deeper level. It might as well be a movie plot for all the personal connection he feels to it.


    I swallow hard, trying to push down the disappointment threatening to choke me. "Yeah, it is," I agree, forcing a smile. "Not exactly a fairytale beginning, huh?"


    Lucas chuckles, the sound achingly familiar yet somehow wrong. It lacks the warmth, the depth of feeling I''m used to hearing. "I guess not. But it sounds like we worked things out eventually."


    "We did," I nod, my fingers twisting in the blanket covering his legs. I want so badly to reach out and touch him, to take his hand in mine. But I''m afraid of how he might react, this Lucas who doesn''t know me. "It took some time, but we got there."


    A heavy silence falls between us. I can feel Lucas studying me, his gaze intense in a way that''s familiar and foreign all at once. There''s curiosity there, maybe even a hint of attraction, but none of the bone-deep recognition I''m used to seeing.


    "Can I ask you something?" I blurt out, unable to bear the tension any longer.


    Lucas nods, his expression open. "Of course."


    I take a deep breath, steeling myself for the answer I''m afraid I already know. "Do you... can you feel our bond at all? Even a little?"


    His face falls, genuine regret clouding his features. "I''m sorry, Ava. I wish I could say yes, but..." He trails off, shaking his head. "There''s nothing."


    My heart sinks, but I try not to let it show on my face. "That''s okay," I lie, my voice barely above a whisper. "It''ll come back. It has to."


    Lucas shifts in the bed, wincing slightly as the movement jostles his injuries. When he speaks again, there''s a note of hesitation in his voice. "There is something I''m curious about, though."


    I perk up, hope fluttering in my chest. "What is it?"


    He gestures towards my neck, his eyes narrowing slightly. "If we''re mates, why don''t I see my mark there?"


    My hand flies to my throat instinctively, fingers brushing over the unmarked skin. "Oh," I breathe, feeling heat rise to my cheeks. "That''s because... well, we haven''t completed our mating yet. We''re fated mates."


    "What do you mean, gone?" I ask, my voice trembling. "Like, you can''t hear him? Or you can''t feel him at all?"


    His jaw tightens. "I mean gone. As in not there. There''s nothing inside."


    "But that''s impossible," I protest, leaning forward in my chair. "Your wolf is a part of you. It can''t just disappear. Maybe it''s just dormant. Or maybe hiding from the trauma? Like a hibernation?"


    "I don''t know," Lucas snaps, his patience clearly wearing thin. "I''ve told you everything I know. Which, in case you haven''t noticed, isn''t much." He closes his eyes, taking a deep breath before continuing in a calmer tone. "I''m sorry, but I can''t do this right now. I need to rest."


    Guilt washes over me. Here I am, badgering him with questions. For me, it''s full of concern. For him? I''m a stranger who can''t stop bothering him when he''s clearly overwhelmed.


    "I''m so sorry. You''re right, I shouldn''t be pushing you like this. I''ll go."


    Lucas nods, some of the tension leaving his shoulders. "Thank you for understanding."


    I hesitate at the door, not wanting to leave things on such a sour note. "I''ll come back later today, okay? Maybe we can talk more when you''re feeling up to it."


    To my surprise, Lucas grimaces. "That sounds... exhausting, to be honest. Maybe you should wait until tomorrow. Give us both some time to process everything."


    My heart bleeds with every word, but I force myself to nod. "Of course. Tomorrow then."


    As I step out into the hallway, closing the door behind me, I feel like I''m leaving a piece of myself behind.


    How long did I get with him? Fifteen minutes?


    The Lucas I know—my Lucas—would never push me away like this. What''s that saying? To appreciate what you have before it''s gone...?


    I''m feeling that. Hard.


    I make it halfway down the corridor before my legs give out. I slide down the wall, drawing my knees up to my chest as the tears I''ve been holding back finally break free. The sobs wrack my body, and I don''t even try to stifle them. Let the whole damn hospital hear. Let the whole world hear.


    My mate doesn''t remember me. My mate has lost his wolf. And now, he doesn''t want me.