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.

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

My what?

My lover?

had sex, yes. Lots

and I might be

I am. Because wouldn't they have checked

going to have to somehow discreetly inquire about

to tell Lucas, now, because he's going to

Clayton calling

know

wanting

Shit.

my throat as anxiety grabs me by the neck, squeezing as hard as it can. Clayton. Of all the worst timing that

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

the virginity that should have been saved for

Oh, fuck.

dashing through my head, back and forth without

for so long? Why isn't Lucas

wait—maybe it

not my Clayton. Aspen's

it's some

in a row. Maybe he doesn't exist at all, and

Hah.

Wouldn't that be nice?

I'm starting to think ridiculous

Breathe, Ava.

and prepare

you

not in

can. In through my nose, out through my mouth. Slow and steady. I close my eyes, trying to focus solely on the

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

Magicians and Lycans. Selene.