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.

for taking such good care of her," Lisa says earnestly, like an older sister more than a

chuckles. "Oh, it's my job. And even if it wasn't..." She leans in conspiratorially. "No one tells Lucas no when it comes to Ava's

best of everything, and it's not a secret.

know," Dr. Beaumont continues,

so much. But another part, the part that's still raw and hurting from everything that's happened, is terrified of

manage finally. "I

always are. But from what I've seen, the two of you have something special. Don't let fear

offering silent support. She knows better

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

wound heals too quickly and traps infection within, causing abscesses. It shouldn't be an issue with your antibiotics, but

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

doctor carefully peels back the dressings covering my neck and shoulders, her brow furrowing in surprise as she examines

would you look at that," she murmurs, tracing a finger 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

of carrying these scars, these permanent reminders of what Todd did to me, makes my skin crawl. I

abdomen, her eyebrows climbing even higher. "And these are nearly healed as well. At this rate, I'd say you'll be

of healing was normal for a human

admit softly. "I've always healed normally." There's no reason to explain Selene's existence to anyone here. I still haven't spoken to

the future, if we

we aren't

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

face. "That's great! You can come stay with

hesitates, glancing between us. "You'll have to take that up with Kellan, I'm afraid. He's in charge of