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.

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

a casual intimacy that

force a smile.

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

Stupid, stupid, stupid.

going to end up being a cancer

Lucas, I happen to have an insane heat and I kind

See?

Easy.

chest, I rest my forehead against them and breathe long, slow breaths

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

won't think

be accepted for who

It's okay, Ava.

going to

anxiety lessens with repeated controlled breathing. I settle into the silence with my eyes closed, concentrating on

That would be embarrassing. I

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

I'm safe.

It's just Lucas.

to happen to

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 my past self for taking

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

wants me to stay his

I didn't think about that. I should get a phone call in… after I let Lucas know

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

with concern. I guess my panic

the window haloes his dark hair, highlighting the