Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 95 Ava: Lisa (II)

A light tapping at my door pulls us out of our giggling.

"Come in," I call out, wiping the last of my tears away. I'm sure my eyes are red and puffy, but I can't find it in me to care.

Dr. Beaumont steps into the room, her smile gentle as she takes in the sight of us huddled together on the bed. "Well now, isn't this a pretty picture?"

For the past few days, Dr. Beaumont has been thorough in my care. I've come to enjoy her visits, even if they're just for work. She's respectful to both nurses and patients, and doesn't treat me with the awed deference like some of the nurses do.

Everyone knows I'm their alpha's fated mate, even the humans. Few seem to understand that we aren't in a relationship, though.

It is interesting to see how many humans think of Lucas as 'their' alpha, though. I'm used to a distinct difference between shifter and human, even in the Aspen territory. Here, there are humans working alongside shifters, and they even interact with each other.

Just yesterday I heard a shifter nurse talking to a human doctor about her mate's desires for shifted sex—something I've known about but never heard talked about—and the human hadn't been scandalized. She'd even asked questions.

Maybe she watches the same show Selene does. TV is great for normalizing things.

"Lisa, this is Dr. Beaumont. She's been taking care of me." I introduce them, watching as they shake hands.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Lisa." Dr. Beaumont's eyes twinkle. "I must say, a little company has really helped our Ava here look a lot better."

That has to be a lie. My eyes are still puffy and swollen, and hurt a little when I blink. Still—having Lisa here, being able to cry, and talk, and laugh…

It's helped.

A lot.

Lisa says

conspiratorially. "No one tells Lucas no when it comes to Ava's care. She's in the best

sure I have the best of everything, and it's

you, you know," Dr. Beaumont continues, her voice softening. "I've never seen

another part, the part that's still raw and hurting from everything

manage finally.

"Fated mate bonds always are. But from what I've seen, the two of

knows better than anyone how conflicted

just wanted to check in and see how you were doing." Dr. Beaumont straightens, slipping back into her professional demeanor. "Your vitals are perfect. I'm just here to check your wounds again. Without knowing the rate of healing acceleration, we'll have to check you at least twice a day to

traps infection within, causing abscesses. It shouldn't be an issue with your antibiotics, but still something to keep an eye

speaks. Lisa settles into the recliner by my bed, giving us space, but watching with

my neck and shoulders, her

along what I assume must be a scar. "These have healed remarkably well, Ava. They're a bit raised and discolored, but that's to be expected with such deep wounds. They might heal completely, but one can never tell with shifter

reminders of what Todd did to me, makes my skin crawl. I don't want any mark of him on

the wounds on my abdomen, her eyebrows climbing even higher. "And these are nearly healed as well. At this rate, I'd say you'll be fully recovered by tomorrow." She glances up at me, curiosity bright in her eyes. "Is this normal for

would say that your rate of healing

my denial. "No," I admit softly. "I've always healed normally." There's no reason to explain Selene's existence to anyone here. I

in the future, if we

we aren't there

confusion, but she doesn't press the issue. "Well, regardless, this is

spreading across her face. "That's great! You can come stay with me, Ave. Your overprotective alpha has me in a nice apartment instead of

glancing between us. "You'll have to take that up with Kellan, I'm