Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 274 Ava: Give Us Both Time -- END SEASON FOUR!

"...and that's how we met," I finish, my heart racing as I watch Lucas's face for any sign of recognition. His brow furrows slightly, a look of concentration I've seen a hundred times before. But there's no spark of memory in his eyes, no sudden realization.

"That's... quite a story," he says. His tone is polite, interested even, but it's clear the tale doesn't resonate with him on a deeper level. It might as well be a movie plot for all the personal connection he feels to it.

I swallow hard, trying to push down the disappointment threatening to choke me. "Yeah, it is," I agree, forcing a smile. "Not exactly a fairytale beginning, huh?"

Lucas chuckles, the sound achingly familiar yet somehow wrong. It lacks the warmth, the depth of feeling I'm used to hearing. "I guess not. But it sounds like we worked things out eventually."

"We did," I nod, my fingers twisting in the blanket covering his legs. I want so badly to reach out and touch him, to take his hand in mine. But I'm afraid of how he might react, this Lucas who doesn't know me. "It took some time, but we got there."

A heavy silence falls between us. I can feel Lucas studying me, his gaze intense in a way that's familiar and foreign all at once. There's curiosity there, maybe even a hint of attraction, but none of the bone-deep recognition I'm used to seeing.

"Can I ask you something?" I blurt out, unable to bear the tension any longer.

Lucas nods, his expression open. "Of course."

I take a deep breath, steeling myself for the answer I'm afraid I already know. "Do you... can you feel our bond at all? Even a little?"

His face falls, genuine regret clouding his features. "I'm sorry, Ava. I wish I could say yes, but..." He trails off, shaking his head. "There's nothing."

My heart sinks, but I try not to let it show on my face. "That's okay," I lie, my voice barely above a whisper. "It'll come back. It has to."

Lucas shifts in the bed, wincing slightly as the movement jostles his injuries. When he speaks again, there's a note of hesitation in his voice. "There is something I'm curious about, though."

up, hope fluttering in

"If we're mates, why

"Oh," I breathe, feeling heat rise to my

not?" The question is blunt, curious rather than accusatory, but it still makes

and insecurities that held me back,

it all into

hating how inadequate the words sound. "We've both had our reasons for waiting. And then there just never seemed to be the

I can tell from the slight furrow in

we were getting there," I add hastily, needing him to understand how far we'd come. "Before

of something in his voice—surprise?

"I'm sorry," he says quietly. "I can see how much this means to you. How much I mean to you. I wish I

tears that are suddenly burning behind my eyes. "It's okay," I manage, my voice thick. "You

my throat, desperate to change the subject and escape the weight of Lucas's confusion and my disappointment.

crosses his face. "No one's sure. Nothing they run explains why I'm

brows draw together. Something about this doesn't add up. Alphas heal incredibly fast, even from severe injuries. For

he talks about his alpha's recovery. It isn't just the memory loss; it's the entire situation. There's something weird

does your wolf

golden eyes, usually so warm and full of life, seem dull and

he's

do you mean, gone?" I ask, my voice trembling. "Like, you can't

jaw tightens. "I mean gone. As

I protest, leaning forward in my chair. "Your wolf is a part of you. It can't just disappear. Maybe it's just dormant. Or maybe hiding from the