Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 114 Ava: Standing Up to the Alpha

Lucas continues to pace, and Lisa folds her arms as she watches him, her chin tilted up in a defiant gesture I know well.

She won't back down, even from an alpha. If there's such a thing as an alpha human, Lisa would probably be one. It doesn't surprise me that her parents allowed her to come here; she gets what she wants, one way or another.

Lucas stops his agitated steps, the soles of his boots squeaking against the linoleum floor. There's a long, heavy sigh that seems to deflate his broad shoulders. When his golden eyes meet mine, they're filled with a mix of resignation and apology.

"You're right, Ava," he says, his deep voice softening. "I'm sorry for trying to control you. It's not my place."

Selene snorts in my mind, her presence a comforting weight. He's only sorry because you spoke up.

I mentally shush her, not wanting to ruin this moment of understanding with Lucas. It's a small victory, but an important one. He needs to see me as an equal, not someone to be ordered around as he pleases.

Lucas turns to Kellan, who's been standing silently by the door, his face an unreadable mask. "Change of plans. Ava's going back to Lisa's apartment."

Kellan's eyebrows lift in surprise, but he quickly schools his features back into a neutral expression. "Understood. I'll get everything ready and let the nurses know she's ready for discharge."

With a curt nod, Kellan exits the room, leaving me alone with Lucas and Lisa. The tension in the air is palpable, but there's also a sense of relief. I've won this battle, small as it may be.

a reassuring squeeze. "I'll go make sure everything's set at the apartment. You focus on getting

her support. "Thanks, Lise. I don't know what I'd

dark eyes sparkling with mischief. "Probably be bored out of your mind. I'll see you

weight from foot to foot, looking uncharacteristically uncertain. It's a

mussing it in a way that makes my heart skip a beat. "I know I've

wants to throw myself into his arms, to let him shield me from the world. But another part, the part that's been burned before, holds back, even

fated bond is trying to bring us together. It hates distance, and every particle of my body wants to

I need time. Space. I need to

his golden eyes darken, pupils dilating with a primal hunger that sends a shiver down my spine. The air between us crackles with that familiar tension, a magnetic

stolen kiss

a caress against my skin. "I know you need time, but I can't deny what I feel for you. What my wolf feels for you.

he reaches out, his calloused fingers brushing against my cheek with a gentleness

a grounding force amidst the swirl of emotions. Remember what you just told him. You need

to think clearly when Lucas is so close, his scent of pine and musk enveloping me like a warm embrace. My body reacts instinctively, leaning into his touch as a soft sigh escapes my

breathe, my voice barely above a whisper. "We can't. Not now. Not like

my soul. "I know. But I need you to understand something, Ava. You're

time and space you need, but I'm not going

of my eyes, his words both thrilling and terrifying. The bond between us pulses with a life of its own, urging me to close the distance, to claim what's mine, and I