Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 289 Ava: Who He Is

The way Lucas watchesis terrifying.

Terrifying, because there's finally interest in his gaze.

| don't want to hold hope, because every t| have even the glimmer of it, he says something that crushes my

heart. The way he doesn't even recognize our fated bond kills me. It's yearning, aching in my chest, wanting me

to go to him. To claim him. To shake and scream until he remembers all the pain and all the joy between us.

Instead, | sit there, scratching more vigorously at my arms, and the string inside oftugs harder, as if trying to

get my attention. | ignore it.

"Your scent."

Glancing at Lucas, who stops talking mid-sentence, | sniff discreetly in the direction of my armpits. Did | forget to

scrub? He keeps talking about my smell.

"Do | stink that bad?"

"It's getting stronger," he confirms, his voice husky.

Maybe this is his way of gettingto leave again. "Do you wantto go?"

"No."

Oh. Never mind, then.

My heart dances at that denial, though, raising hope high on a flag pole and waving it at the walls I've tried

desperately to construct around my heart.

"Tellwhat you think of me," he says, shifting his weight as his eyes never leave me. They're golden and

intense, different from the way he looked atwhen | first walked in.

Is he finally recognizing the bond?

That would be great.

Memories wash over me. Lucas's scent, amber and campfire smoke, fills my senses, and I'm transported back to

Cedarwood. Back to when he'd found me, after I'd run away from everything I'd ever known.

"You foundin Cedarwood, far from here," | say softly, my eyes meeting his. "After the Gala. | wanted nothing

to do with you, but you stuck around anyway. You were determined, and | was just afraid you'd leaveagain.

Change your mind at any time. But you never once blamedfor how | reacted."

A small smile tugs at my lips as | remember those early days. "You'd break into my apartment while | was at

work. Spread your scent around. It should have been creepy, but... it wasn't. Somehow."

Lucas's brow furrows slightly, but he remains silent, listening intently.

"You can be so sweet sometimes," | continue, my voice barely above a whisper. "And awkward too. It's

endearing, really. The way you bend over backwards to keephappy, to keepsafe."

My throat tightens as | recall darker times. "You savedfrom my family, Lucas. You're the first person to ever

do that."

The weight of everything he's done for me, everything he's been through because of me, settles heavy on my

chest.

"I respect you so much," | admit, my voice cracking slightly. "I can't even begin to understand how you can be so

strong, so secure in your love, especially after... after all the times | pushed you away."

His golden gaze never leaves mine.

It's not my Lucas, but at least he isn't staring atlike I'm a complete stranger. He's starting to see me, even if

he doesn't see his fated mate. It's a start, right?

"It feels like life is forcingto repay a debt," | say, the words tumbling out before | can stop them. "You were

always there, waiting forto turn to you. And now... now the tables have turned. It's my turn to wait for you."

| fall silent, my heart pounding in my chest. Lucas grunts, a low sound that reverberates through the quiet room,

but I have no idea what he's thinking.

* kK

"How'd it go?"

Lisa practically pounces onas soon as | walk through the door, her eyes shining with optimism and the belief

that fated mates trump all.

Groaning, | melt into the couch, my body shivering at the memory of his eyes burning into me. "I don't know.

Every so often, | think he's getting a hint of the bond. Then he says something so casual that just destroys every

last hope I've ever held."

Lisa handsa plate with half a tuna sandwich and a pitiful handful of chips. | raise an eyebrow at her, and she

flashesa sheepish grin.

"| got extra hungry," she admits, shrugging. "Wasn't sure when you'd chome, so | helped myself."

Home. The word hitslike a punch to the gut. Is this really hnow? It feels temporary, but our hisn't

ours any longer. What does it look like now? I'm not sure | want to know.

| pick at the meager remains of my lunch, my appetite suddenly gone. "It's fine. I'm not that hungry anyway."

Despite my less-than-stellar report on Lucas, Lisa's practically bouncing on her toes. Her eyes are sparkling with

barely contained excitement, and it's so at odds with the heaviness in my chest that | can't help but eye her

suspiciously.

"What's going on?" | ask, narrowing my eyes. "You look like you're about to burst."

Lisa's grin widens, if that's even possible. "Kellan heard from Sister Miriam," she blurts out. "They should be back

this evening."

My heart leaps into my throat. "Selene?" | breathe, hardly daring to hope.

Lisa nods vigorously. "Yep! Your furry friend is coming home."

A genuine smile spreads across my face. The thought of seeing Selene's husky face again, of burying my face in

her soft fur and feeling that comforting presence in my mind, makes everything else fade away.

"When?" | demand, suddenly full of nervous energy. "What time? Did Kellan say anything else?"

Lisa holds up her hands, laughing. "Whoa, slow down! | don't know the exact time, just that it'll be this evening.

Kellan didn't givemany details."

Tempering my excitement is an impossible task. | need to see her. To know she's okay.

"So," Lisa says, plopping down next toon the couch. "What do you want to do while we wait? We could try to

summon that book again, or maybe practice sof your magic?"

"The book," | decide, not needing even a second to choose.

Lisa eyes my plate. "Maybe you need more food first."

Shaking my head, | settle into a cross-legged position on the floor, smiling in thanks as she tosses a throw

blanket over my lap. "Shakeawake if Selene gets here."

"You know | will."

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