Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 154 Ava: Their Connection (I)

My face falls, but he reaches out, cupping my cheek with one warm hand. "I'm furious that you put yourself in danger. That's all."

Well, that's fair.

But I'd do it again. In a heartbeat. No matter what he thinks.

His eyes narrow. "You're thinking that you'd do it again, aren't you?" Suspicion laces his voice.

Maybe avoiding the question is better than answering it. "Where do we go from here?"

"With what?" His thumb rubs over my cheek, his golden eyes dark as he watches me.

"Everything. Lisa. The vampires. My powers."

He sighs. "I don't know. It's a lot to think about."

When his hand drops from my face, I'm disappointed by the absence of his warmth. Still, I try to focus on what's important. "Have you ever heard of the Mad Prince before?"

"No." Lucas frowns. "Unfortunately, we don't know a lot about vampires and the Unregistered cities. A few basic things, but we've become complacent in the overall peace of the world. I'm going to have to fix that mistake."

"How?"

His head shakes slightly, and his eyes look a little unfocused. He's probably talking to Kellan through the pack link again, so I wait patiently for him to finish.

"It's dangerous to send scouts to the Unregistered city," he murmurs. "Few make it back alive."

His words are a shock, and my hands grow cold. I understand that I'm a little sheltered, but I've watched enough human news to know a few things. I had no idea the relationship with vampires was that fraught. "That bad? Then how is Lisa going to survive there?"

"There are humans who live in the Unregistered cities. Plenty of people come and go through them—they are a modern city like any other. Internet, stores, cars. But they don't welcome most shifters."

I hesitate, thinking back on my conversation with Sister Miriam. "It sounds like they do some business with rogue wolves."

"Yes." He frowns. "That doesn't help us, though."

No, but if I work with Sister Miriam…

But by the look on Lucas' face, I don't think that's going to be an option in his mind.

Of course not.

Isn't Selene supposed to be watching TV?

hear you

you to promise me that you aren't going to see

"Lucas…"

hours. It might not even be in a few

I can't reconcile the thought of Lisa being in danger for that long without help.

Ava. But we need to do this safely.

agree with it. Knowing that,

relationship with Lucas is getting in the

is, but I

a part of this, remember? I'm not shutting you out. I'm not stopping you from

goes silent, his

little straighter, and this time the conversation ends quickly. "How quickly can

"Now."

eyes unfocused again. After a few minutes, he's back. "Your mother

Mom.

forgotten about her, focused only on Sister

hesitation. Never seeing her again would be the option I'd choose at any other time, but

Vanessa's packing up what she needs.

ask

still recovering," Lucas points out. "I'm not risking

"That's fine. I

hesitates, looking torn. "I should

and they need their alpha." Reaching out, I grab his hand.

there, too. And… Clayton." Lucas watches me with caution.

a good friend." The emphasis on the word doesn't go unnoticed, and I watch his shoulders relax slightly. "I need to talk to Clayton,

dropping a soft kiss against the back of it. "Come back to

if he's holding himself back from saying

between us, I reach out to touch his face, my fingers brushing against the harsh stubble on his cheek, tracing

exhaustion, the toll of this

he's here with me, putting

the insanity of

me or making me feel less

his eyes drifting closed as he lets

gentle kiss. He shudders, his hand coming up to cup the back of my head

Tender. Sweet. Peaceful.

A moment for lovers.

walls up to protect my heart. But in doing so, I've hurt him too. Damaged the fragile roots of