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

His voice grabs my attention, as he grips my hands tightly. "I need you to promise me that you aren't going to see Sister

"Lucas…"

few hours. It

heart drops. Although a logical part of me already recognizes that, I can't reconcile the thought

But we need to do this safely.

course I do." I just don't agree with it. Knowing that, I can't quite meet

getting in the way of

not sure what the right answer is, but I don't

not stopping you from saving her. We just

silent, his gaze

sit up a little straighter, and this time the conversation ends quickly. "How quickly can you be packed?"

"Now."

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

Mom.

about her, focused

would be the option I'd choose at

figured you would. Vanessa's packing up what she needs. We'll head

I ask in

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

fine.

hesitates, looking torn. "I

to be here for your pack. You've suffered a tragedy, and they need their alpha." Reaching out, I

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

slightly. "I need to talk to Clayton, too. About us. I haven't really

kiss against the back of it. "Come back

himself back from saying the words he really wants to

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

see the exhaustion, the toll of this

with me, putting me

the insanity of

berating me or

man starved of affection, his eyes drifting

brushing my lips against his in a gentle kiss. He shudders, his hand coming up to cup the back of

Tender. Sweet. Peaceful.

A moment for lovers.

heart. But in doing