Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 89 Ava: A Mild Overreaction

I glance away from Lucas, unable to hold his intense gaze. My heart sinks like a stone, the weight of the secrets I've kept pressing down on me.

It isn't even like I've been keeping them on purpose, but I feel like a she-wolf caught cheating on her mate.

And yet no matter how innocent it was at the time—no matter what state our mate connection was in—these are the types of secrets that can bury our relationship before it ever starts. Honesty is the best policy. Better to get it all out in the open, even if he rejects me again.

Even if he formally rejects me.

Last time, the rejection was implied; this time…

I shudder at the thought and take a deep, steadying breath, trying to psych myself up.

I have to talk about my stay with the Aspen pack. About Clayton. I'll have to explain about my heat, too.

As soon as I gather an ounce of courage, Lucas' phone rings again. I groan audibly, the sound ripping from my throat before I can stop it. "Are you serious?" It's the middle of the night! Who the hell calls someone in the middle of the night?!

Lucas' brows furrow in apology, clearly thinking I'm upset that he's taking calls during our conversation. "I'm sorry, it will only be a moment."

"No, no," I rush to assure him, waving a hand. "That's not it at all. I'm just..." I trail off, unsure of how to explain.

He leans forward to kiss my forehead. Apparently this is something he's going to do often.

I don't mind it, but it doesn't quite feel like we're at that point yet.

I really need to talk to him.

"I'm sorry, Ava. This is another alpha. I'll be right back."

"Go, go." I wave him off. It isn't like I don't understand the weight of such a call.

But then he utters words that make my blood run cold. "Hey, Clayton, is everything okay?"

I'm frozen.

on the hospital bed, staring at the back of my fated mate as he walks out the door, talking on the

My what?

My lover?

lover. We had sex, yes. Lots of

I might

I am. Because

I'm going to have to somehow discreetly inquire

tell Lucas, now, because he's

Clayton

know

he wanting

Shit.

as hard as it can. Clayton. Of all the worst

the door, closed behind Lucas. He's already in the hall, talking to the man who saw all of me, naked as the day I was

the virginity that should have

Oh, fuck.

thoughts dashing through

be talking about for so long? Why isn't Lucas back in

wait—maybe it isn't my

not my Clayton. Aspen's

it's some other

Clayton doesn't even sound real anymore, after repeating it so many times in a row. Maybe he doesn't exist at all, and my time in Washington was just a

Hah.

Wouldn't that be nice?

starting to think

Breathe, Ava.

and prepare for

you a

not in Blackwood

I can. In through my nose, out through my mouth. Slow and steady. I

heart's rhythm is loud in my ears, almost headache-inducing, the pulsing whoosh so strong that I can feel it echoing through my entire body. The anxious thoughts continue. Clayton. Lucas. What they could be discussing. What Lucas will say or do when

Magicians and Lycans. Selene.