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.

the screen. "Shit. It's Kellan. Hold on, Ava, I have to

mine in a casual intimacy that breaks my

a smile.

I can't help but berate myself for taking too

Stupid, stupid, stupid.

going to end up being a

heat and I

See?

Easy.

forehead against them

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

won't think you're

still be accepted for who you

It's okay, Ava.

going to

the silence with my eyes closed, concentrating on the rhythm of oxygen filling

That would be embarrassing. I should

against my hair startles me out of my 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 to

His face is so gentle that my heart aches, and I curse my past

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 about telling him I'd lost my virginity

me to stay his

I'm safe. Damn. I didn't think about that. I should get a phone call

in my life. I am not prepared. Not trained. I haven't read enough

brows furrowing with concern. I guess my panic is

up at him. The sunlight beaming through the window haloes his