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.

Kellan. Hold on, Ava, I have to take this. I'll be right

hand squeezes mine in a

smile. "Of

I can't help but berate myself for taking

Stupid, stupid, stupid.

going to end up being a cancer

an insane heat and I kind of

See?

Easy.

my forehead against them and breathe long, slow breaths as my abdomen protests the

This isn't going to be a repeat of

think you're

be accepted for who you

It's okay, Ava.

going to be

I settle into the silence with my eyes closed, concentrating on the rhythm of

breath stinks. That would be embarrassing. I should

me out of my forced peace. At first, my body tenses, until it catches up to my

I'm safe.

It's just Lucas.

happen to me

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

I supposed to know that he'd rescue me in the future… but shit would be a hell of a lot easier right now if I didn't have to worry

wants me to stay his

think about that. I should get

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

he murmurs, his brows furrowing with concern. I guess my panic is showing. "You

him. The sunlight beaming through the window haloes his dark hair, highlighting the gold in his eyes. He's so beautiful