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?

can still hear you two, you

hands tightly. "I need you to promise me that you aren't going to see Sister Miriam

"Lucas…"

Lisa isn't going to happen in a few hours. It might not even be in

already recognizes that, I can't reconcile the thought of

not giving up, Ava. But we need to do

I just don't agree with it. Knowing that, I can't

relationship with Lucas is getting in the way of saving my best

not sure what the right answer is, but I don't like the options he's giving

of this, remember? I'm not shutting you out. I'm not stopping you from saving her. We just

goes silent, his gaze unfocused

straighter, and this time the conversation ends quickly. "How quickly can you be packed?" he asks,

"Now."

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

Mom.

forgotten about her,

say without hesitation. Never seeing her again would be the option I'd choose at any other

she needs. We'll head to the airport

I ask

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

"That's fine. I

"I should come

a tragedy, and they need their alpha."

with caution. "Clayton is 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, too. About us.

a soft kiss against the back of

are strained, as if he's holding himself back from saying the words

fingers brushing against the harsh stubble on his cheek, tracing the dark circles

the exhaustion, the

yet he's here with

insanity

or making me feel less

a man starved of affection, his eyes drifting closed as he lets out a

his in a gentle kiss. He shudders, his

Tender. Sweet. Peaceful.

A moment for lovers.

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