Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 108 Lisa: Ava's Absence (I)

LISA

Lucas is bigger than I thought he'd be.

The thought comes randomly as I stare at him across Ava's bed. He never spares me a glance; he's attuned to her every breath. There's pain etched across his face that makes my heart ache for him.

I'm hurting, too. But this fated mate connection that shifters have…

It's on another level.

Kissing the back of Ava's hand, I lower my head to pray for the hundredth time today.

Dear Lord, please hear my prayer. I know I don't go to church and I don't follow your commandments. I know I'm a terrible Christian. I'm not even sure I am Christian. But I know you're supposed to care about all of us, so please—if you're listening—please, save Ava. She deserves so much more than this.

Of course, there's no answer. Half of me is hoping for a miracle, but the other half knows the prayer's pointless.

There's nothing any of us can do.

The doctors are confused. All they can say is that she's stable and should wake up when she's ready.

But why is she even in this bed in the first place?

We didn't do anything extra strenuous.

She's been healing fine.

So why?

Vanessa's words about Ava's wolf have me worried, but I can't just tell them about Selene. These are Ava's secrets.

Even if keeping the secret means Ava never wakes up? the logical side of me whispers.

I don't know.

I stay silent, because there isn't much

changed our group chat name from My Happy Randalls to Empty Nest Randalls with a sad emoji, and she

He's not thrilled, but he's not about

the only thing for me here in Granite City, and now I'm terrified that

But there's been so

worried about

Wait. Pregnant.

ever get an answer

Could… she be pregnant?

Could that be why?

a good day, but right now, with Ava unconscious in the hospital bed between us, it's suffocating. The

you even bring up that kind of question? Hey, Alpha of the Westwood Pack, you don't know me, but I'm Ava's best friend. Quick question, could getting knocked up by a werewolf, who by the way wasn't you,

no. That's not

nagging at the back of my mind. Ava mentioned worrying about being pregnant, but we never really circled back to that topic. There was

with her lying so still and pale against the white hospital sheets, I can't help but wonder if

together as it is, his eyes never leaving Ava's face, his hand gripping hers like

put this

to be someone else who can help, someone

Vanessa.

pops into my head, and I latch onto it like a lifeline. She's the healer who's been taking care of Ava, the one with the kind eyes and gentle voice. If anyone can answer my questions without making me

down to press a soft kiss to the back of Ava's hand. "I'll be right back," I whisper, even though I know she can't hear me. "Just gonna go ask Vanessa

I get the sense that he's aware of my every move.

behind me. The hallway is quiet, the fluorescent lights casting a harsh glare against the white walls and tiled floor. I take a moment to orient myself, trying to remember

I think. Or

if I need to. As I walk, my mind churns

then what is it? What could

my arms around myself, trying to ward off the sudden cold that

Ava. Please wake

other direction. I stumble back, an apology already forming on my