Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 86 Ava: Missed Timing

The warmth of our linked fingers burn my skin with a thousand unspoken accusations that prickle at my conscience.

"I didn't stop looking. I had scouts in the area, keeping an eye on your father's home as much as they could, but we've historically had a problem keeping any scouts alive in Blackwood territory. We escalated the issues we had, brought our problems to Council, trying to escalate the situation so we could infiltrate. It took a long time before we got the evidence we needed.

I hated it, but I couldn't risk a war with the Council without anything to back up my actions."

As Lucas recounts his efforts to find me, I can't help but tune out, stressing over the secrets that I never felt were secrets at the time.

Now, with this fragile peace between us—after he's sacrificed in order to save me…

It seems like a pretty fucking shitty move to say nothing, no matter how innocent it was.

I should tell him. I know I should.

But the words catch in my throat, tangled with a web of emotions I can't seem to untangle. How will he react when he learns that I sought refuge from my heat with another alpha? Will he see it as a betrayal? A violation of our fated bond?

When Selene and I spoke, it seemed so simple. He rejected me, so he has no right to be upset.

Now?

With his fingers linked through mine?

With me, alive, here, in his territory?

The thought of losing his trust, of shattering the fragile connection that's blooming between us, fills me with dread. And yet, keeping secrets from him feels like a disservice to what he's done for me.

I take a deep breath, steeling my resolve. "Lucas, there's something I need to tell you about—"

His phone rings, the sudden sound shattering the moment like a rock through a glass window.

Hold on, Ava,

squeezes mine in a casual intimacy

a smile.

call, I can't help but berate myself for taking too damn

Stupid, stupid, stupid.

up

isn't hard. Hey, Lucas, I happen to have an insane heat and I kind of went crazy, and some alpha helped me out in

See?

Easy.

forehead against them and

shatter everything. Lucas will understand. This isn't going to be a repeat of the night of the Gala.

won't think

still be accepted for

It's okay, Ava.

to be

silence with my eyes closed, concentrating on the rhythm of oxygen filling my lungs, and the soft exhale

That would be

forced peace. At first, my body tenses, until it catches up to my brain and the welcome scent

I'm safe.

It's just Lucas.

going to happen

I lean my cheek against my knees and glance up at Lucas. His face is so gentle that my heart

be a hell of a lot

alpha who wants me to

that. I should get a phone call in…

this level of romantic entanglement in my life. I am not prepared. Not trained. I haven't

concern. I guess my panic

sunlight beaming through the window haloes his dark hair, highlighting the gold in