Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 264 Ava: Lucas is Recovering

"How can that be?!"

It's a stupid question. Betrayal comes in all shapes and sizes. It can happen to anyone at any time.

But it's still a shock.

Kellan shakes his head. "It's the only thing that makes sense. Someone knew every move we made. It's why secrecy is valued even here." He rubs the bridge of his nose with a long sigh. "Getting everyone here felt impossible. We lost so many, even after the fighting, during the retreat.

Especially after Lucas was hurt."

"He's okay now, right?"

Kellan stares at me, a muscle in his cheek twitching. "To an extent, yes. Your Sister Miriam arrived in time to stabilize him."

I frown. "What do you mean?"

"If she and Selene hadn't been there, Lucas would have succumbed to his injuries."

That can't be possible.

It's hard enough to accept that he was grievously injured without a single hiccup in the bond between us.

It's worse to think I could have lost him, and had no idea. Even now, the only feeling in my chest is of my bond humming in excitement, ready to see Lucas, impatient with this detour Kellan's devised.

"I can't feel anything different. It feels the same as it always does, in here." I touch my chest, tears filling my eyes at the thought of almost losing Lucas. We've barely had time together, with all these insane happenings around us. "Why didn't I feel it?"

connection, but you aren't marked. You aren't mated. You wouldn't feel anything. It's either there, or it isn't." He rubs a hand vigorously over his head, making a face. "Can't feel direction or anything

Oh. He's frustrated.

mated to Lisa and

coming," I blurt out.

it. His hands clamp down on my upper arms, his grip tight enough to form bruises. His eyes burn with an intensity

I've never seen. Not even when he first recognized his mated connection, the day we

Lucas felt when he finally found me? My heart flips at the thought, a desperate longing to see him washing over me. I push it aside,

assure him, keeping my voice steady. "That's what I was told. Lisa should

and abruptly lets go. Stepping back, his features smooth into the mask of beta

voice clipped. "That was inappropriate

tell him, rubbing my arms where his fingers left

The relief and hope in his eyes, quickly masked, is forever burned into my

me Lisa doesn't know about their fated connection. I'm not sure

information?"

to come here," I explain. "A man named Acarus told us. He's... connected

eyebrows rise slightly at that. "Sister Miriam," he murmurs.

shakes his head, as if clearing away unwanted

"I want to

carefully. "But there

between us, my fingers wrapping around Kellan's forearm. The muscles beneath

demand, my voice rising. "Stop beating around the

eyes flutter shut, and he drags his free hand down his face. A low growl rumbles in his chest, a sound of frustration and something

pauses, swallowing hard. "He's

I can feel my nails digging into his skin, but I can't let go. "Stop being so fucking cryptic and just tell me!" Desperation claws at my