Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 275 Ava: Visitors

"Ava."

My head feels like it weighs a million pounds. My ears feel stuffed and woolly. And Kellan's hands dragging me to my feet are like burning embers pressed against my skin.

"What?"

"You passed out."

Staring at him blankly, it takes a while for my brain to catch up to his words. "Oh. Shit." I guess that's one way to deal with stress; just let your body shut down.

Don't really recommend it.

Kellan doesn't ask questions about my visit with Lucas, just escorts me back to the cottage and makes sure I'm taken care of. Brings lunch I don't want to eat and promises to check on me in another hour or two.

Of course, lunch is out of the question. My stomach's too queasy for that. And until Sister Miriam and Selene return, I don't have a great way to get information on what happened to Lucas' wolf. I'm definitely not going to tell people he doesn't have one; the pack needs stability, not another blow.

I'm not even sure Kellan knows.

The thought that Lucas may have trusted me with a little secret buoys my depressed spirits by a millimeter or two.

Maybe, even if he can't feel it, there's a part of him wanting to trust me. Knowing I'm his mate.

Even if he doesn't want to see me for the rest of the day.

Fuck.

for all the time he spent waiting patiently for me, delivered express mail with cash on delivery. Now it's my turn

enough to turn it pink. It's my second shower in hours, but I can't shake the depression clinging to me like second skin. Steam fills the

until my skin is raw and angry red, as if I can wash away the memory of Lucas staring at me like a

It doesn't work.

hot water runs out. Dressing in the clothes I was just wearing—they're still clean—I flop onto

That's what I need. Just a few hours to reset my brain and maybe wake

hair leaves wet spots on the pillow, leaving them for me to discover as I flop from left to right, then from belly to back, struggling to find a position that

mind, of every moment of my encounter with Lucas. The confusion in his eyes. The way he spoke like none

tangle around my legs as I flip from side to side. Minutes stretch into what feels like hours. My

restless attempt at sleep. Before I can respond, the

gentle voice

practically flying across the room and into her

until this moment. The solitude of the past few hours weighs on me, making Vanessa's presence a lifeline

murmurs, rubbing soothing circles

"Sorry, I just... it's been

she asks, "How are

Not great," I admit, my voice barely above a whisper. "How much do

eyes dart to the side before

nod, holding

as she says, "I'm so

She scribbles something quickly, then turns it so I

course. We're being watched, listened to. There might even be a traitor somewhere.

is unnaturally cheerful as she asks, "Did you break down crying out of sheer relief in the hallway? I heard rumors