Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 289 Ava: Who He Is

The way Lucas watches me is terrifying.

Terrifying, because there's finally interest in his gaze.

I don't want to hold hope, because every time I have even the glimmer of it, he says something that crushes my heart. The way he doesn't even recognize our fated bond kills me. It's yearning, aching in my chest, wanting me to go to him. To claim him. To shake and scream until he remembers all the pain and all the joy between us.

Instead, I sit there, scratching more vigorously at my arms, and the string inside of me tugs harder, as if trying to get my attention. I ignore it.

"Your scent."

Glancing at Lucas, who stops talking mid-sentence, I sniff discreetly in the direction of my armpits. Did I forget to scrub? He keeps talking about my smell.

"Do I stink that bad?"

"It's getting stronger," he confirms, his voice husky.

Maybe this is his way of getting me to leave again. "Do you want me to go?"

"No."

Oh. Never mind, then.

My heart dances at that denial, though, raising hope high on a flag pole and waving it at the walls I've tried desperately to construct around my heart.

me," he says, shifting his weight as his eyes never leave me. They're golden and intense, different from the way he looked at me when I first

he finally recognizing the

That would be great.

scent, amber and campfire smoke, fills my senses, and I'm transported back to Cedarwood. Back to when

eyes meeting his. "After the Gala. I wanted nothing to do with you, but you stuck around anyway. You were determined, and I was just afraid you'd leave me again. Change your mind at any time. But you never once blamed

days. "You'd break into my apartment while I was at work. Spread your scent around.

but he

awkward too. It's endearing, really. The way you bend over backwards

throat tightens as I recall darker times. "You saved me from my family, Lucas. You're the first person

for me, everything he's been through because

understand how you can be so strong, so secure in your love, especially after... after all the times I

golden gaze never leaves

at me like I'm a complete stranger. He's starting to see me, even if he doesn't see his fated mate. It's a start,

before I can stop them. "You were always there, waiting for me to turn to you. And now... now the tables have turned. It's my turn to

fall silent, my heart pounding in my chest. Lucas grunts, a low sound that reverberates through the

* * *

"How'd it go?"

as soon as I walk through the door, her eyes shining with optimism and the belief that fated mates trump

Every so often,

of chips. I raise an eyebrow at her, and

shrugging. "Wasn't sure when you'd come home, so I helped

really home now? It feels temporary, but our home isn't ours any longer. What does it look like now? I'm not sure I want to

my lunch, my appetite suddenly gone. "It's fine. I'm not that hungry