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?"

wouldn't feel anything. It's either there, or it isn't." He rubs

Oh. He's frustrated.

Lisa and

blurt out. "She

so fast I barely register it. His hands clamp down on my upper arms, his grip tight enough

serious?" he demands, raw and emotional in a way I've never seen. Not even when he first recognized his mated connection, the day we lost

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, focusing on

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

abruptly lets go. Stepping back, his features smooth into the mask of beta professionalism I've always thought was his

he says, voice

tell him, rubbing my arms

and hope in his eyes, quickly masked, is forever

fated connection. I'm not

get this information?" Kellan asks, all

here," I explain. "A man named

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

his head, as if clearing away unwanted thoughts.

"I want

recovering," he says carefully. "But there have been unexpected

I'm the one to close the distance between us, my fingers wrapping around Kellan's forearm. The muscles beneath my grip are taut, betraying the

my voice rising. "Stop beating around the bush, Kellan. What's going

free hand down his face. A low growl rumbles in his chest, a sound of frustration and something I can't quite

isn't..." He pauses, swallowing hard. "He's not the same as

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