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?

still hear

he grips my hands tightly. "I need you to promise me that you aren't going to see

"Lucas…"

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

recognizes that, I can't reconcile the thought of Lisa being in danger for

up, Ava. But we need to

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

Lucas is getting in

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

not stopping you from saving her. We just

silent, his

the conversation ends quickly. "How quickly can

"Now."

again. After a few minutes, he's back. "Your mother isn't talking. She won't

Mom.

forgotten about her,

again would be the option I'd choose at any other time,

what she needs. We'll head to the airport in about

I ask in

Lucas points out. "I'm not risking

fine.

torn. "I

Absolutely not. You need to be here for your pack. You've suffered a tragedy, and they need their alpha." Reaching out, I grab his hand. "Send Kellan with me.

watches me with caution. "Clayton is a

doesn't go unnoticed, and I watch his shoulders relax slightly. "I need to talk to Clayton, too. About us.

hand to his lips, dropping a soft kiss against the back of it.

if he's holding himself back from saying the words he really wants to

to touch his face, my fingers

exhaustion,

with me, putting

the insanity

berating me or making me feel

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

heart aches as I lean forward, brushing my lips against his in a gentle kiss. He shudders, his hand coming up to cup the back of my head with gentle

Tender. Sweet. Peaceful.

A moment for lovers.

my heart. But in doing so, I've hurt him