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.

shifting his weight as his eyes never leave me. They're golden and intense, different from the way

finally recognizing

That would be great.

senses, and I'm transported back to Cedarwood. Back to when he'd found

but you stuck around anyway. You were determined, and I was just afraid you'd

those early days. "You'd break into my apartment while I was at work. Spread your scent around. It should have been creepy, but... it wasn't.

but he

sweet sometimes," I continue, my voice barely above a whisper. "And awkward too. It's endearing, really. The way you bend over backwards to

I recall darker times. "You saved me from my family, Lucas. You're

me, everything he's been through because of

I admit, my voice cracking slightly. "I can't even begin to understand how you

golden gaze never leaves

he isn't staring at me like I'm a complete stranger.

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

pounding in my chest. Lucas grunts, a low sound

* * *

"How'd it go?"

soon as I walk through the door, her eyes

melt into the couch, my body shivering at the memory of his eyes burning into me. "I don't know. Every so often, I think he's getting a

with half a tuna sandwich and a pitiful handful of chips. I raise an eyebrow at her, and

hungry," she admits, shrugging. "Wasn't sure when

It feels temporary, but our home isn't ours any

of my lunch, my appetite suddenly