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.

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

finally

That would be great.

back to Cedarwood. Back

softly, my 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

lips as I remember those early days. "You'd break into my apartment while I was at work.

furrows slightly, but he remains silent, listening

"And awkward too. It's endearing, really. The way

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

weight of everything he's done for me, everything he's been through because of me, settles heavy on

begin to understand how you can be so strong, so secure

golden gaze never leaves

stranger. He's starting to see

like life is forcing me to repay a debt," I say, the words tumbling out before I can stop them. "You were always there, waiting for me to turn to you. And now... now

my heart pounding in my chest. Lucas grunts, a low sound that reverberates

* * *

"How'd it go?"

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

shivering at the memory of his eyes burning into me. "I don't know. Every so often, I think he's getting a hint of the bond. Then he says something so casual that just destroys

with half a tuna sandwich and a pitiful handful of chips. I raise an

got extra hungry," she admits, shrugging. "Wasn't sure when you'd come

a punch to the gut. Is this really home now? It feels temporary, but our home isn't ours any longer. What does it look like now? I'm not

meager remains of my lunch, my