Chapter 288 Ava: Healed
Lucas motions toward his arms and legs with a wry smile. "I guess my healing came back with a vengeance."
That's an understatement.
My heart pounds as I rush a few feet forward, stopping short at the foot of the bed as I drink him in.
Alive. Well. Healed.
The strong alpha I remember, even if he doesn't know me anymore.
"Can I... would it be okay if I looked you over?" All the confidence I projected at that receptionist from earlier is gone, and I'm timid in front of my mate, this man with my heart in his hands.
He surprises me by standing up beside the bed, a low chuckle stirring my heart and tear ducts into production. A slow circle, arms raised, as if showing himself off.
Steady.
Confident.
No trace of the injuries that had left him bedridden.
The familiar planes of his face soften with a lopsided smile that squeezes my heart. I ache to touch him, to assure myself this isn't another dream that will evaporate like mist.
His golden eyes are clear, no longer marred by the hint of pain. The broad shoulders I once clung to stand straight, unbowed by suffering. His skin is unblemished, no longer marred by recent wounds.
Joy surges through my veins, bright and buoyant. He's here. Whole. Well, almost.
My vision blurs with tears, and I hiccup in the most unladylike manner. "I'm so glad you're better."
The words aren't enough to convey the depth of my joy over his recovery.
Lucas motions for me to sit on the end of the bed. I perch there, hyper-aware of his presence as he settles on the opposite end. The distance between us feels too far, and I wonder if for him it isn't far enough.
His gaze is still that of a stranger, but his words are more friendly than yesterday. "The mate bond must be real. You're the only change in my treatment. I guess my body recognizes it somehow."
help with healing, but we never finalized ours. Still, it feels good to think that my
beneath my fingers. But I hold back, not wanting to make him uncomfortable. He may acknowledge our bond now,
finally done something for you." My lips quirk. "You're usually the one doing
"I can see how
less knowing he's healing, though. Maybe soon his
sniffs the air. His brow furrows, a strange expression crossing his face.
seem
it's
my lip, trying to think of what could
waft the bracelet in the
then shakes
the way
be wrong. By the way his nose wrinkles and he recoils back just
doesn't like how I
can my mate dislike my scent? Such a thing should be
I hated Lucas, I wanted to bury myself
I shower
distant as his nose wrinkles again. "I think it should be okay. What's
drops. "Ava. Ava
The
him in on recent history and the current pack situation. Of course he knows
my neck. "Beta Grey
it. Casual. Powerful. Looking way too good for someone who doesn't want me yet. My body and bond within me yearn
"A
connection. No choice for either of us," I remind him,
forgot
Like it's just some random
little
at my arm, I realize my itching is back, and that string of connection within me is humming, tugging as if
that right
he asks
Have the doctors said anything about you breaking out of this room? I'm sure
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U5fkp5uZW/P4k0TBkO6OEU2tKVfafp/jtE+zd3/lqWbRB271J3JUSFM/rJGWpsVIMT4a8IxD01gqkPl4L7plL5ib+6omNo3L//KWUiXVRBcHwBXTGaUl654TNXi/BsCIxMFN76fXVHvmR/RIu1znij2r14nYjLfa2NsQMTjGV0WwVf/V4MnS2Dgi8XI8AH4To2mgNpld7YQ3EXIlldhE9/FKpx8GKJ/5XzovQ8mg
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