Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 45 Ava: Clearminded

A week has passed since that first fateful night with Clayton, and the haze of my heat is finally fading.

Clayton rarely left my side, and every time I think of him, I blush. To go from a virgin with almost no experience to so many memories of his naked body over mine, his large hands rough on my skin, and the near-violent collision of our passion, over and over again…?

It's like a different world.

I can't help looking at men a little differently, with a little bit more suspicion. If someone as polite and gentlemanly as Clayton can have that side of him, aren't they all just brutal beasts in bed?

Well, your heat experience is a little unique, Selene says dryly.

Clayton's back with his pack today, doing alpha-things, I think. I'm not sure. He was gone when I woke up.

The nurses haven't discharged me yet, saying they just want to make sure I'm okay. I'm more than okay. I feel strong and refreshed. Even some of the scars all over my neck from failed claiming marks—so many failed attempts, because heat-Ava apparently really likes when he tries—are slowly fading from the first night.

They'll be gone in another week, Selene agrees.

It looks brutal, like I've been attacked by a wild animal. In a way, I guess I was—Clayton wasn't in his right mind, either—but claiming marks by nature have always healed quickly.

usually

guilty more than anything. I'm sure it must be awkward for Clayton, as

been hanging out near the hospital, frustrated because she can't get to me. She can—apparently?—scale the building

our secrets, so she

Selene orders me, frustrated as she, too, thinks about

It's been rough.

clasp had broken, and it didn't

hasn't explained the ins and outs of that, but I'll get it out of her eventually. Right now, I'm just anxious to go home. I was given the option of using Clayton's phone to get in touch with anyone worried about me, but I don't

If he knows my

he's an alpha who needs to put his pack first. I

discharged, I plan to sneak back into

a sigh. I want to go for a walk, but

Who knows. Who cares? He's just your

ache in my chest had disappeared… but it's

be guilty about. You aren't

Also true.

But still.

a woman strides in with an air of confidence. She has the same striking green eyes as