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.

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

That would be great.

over me. Lucas's scent, amber and campfire smoke, fills my senses, and I'm transported back to Cedarwood. Back to when he'd found me, after I'd run away from everything I'd ever

Cedarwood, far from here," I say 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 afraid you'd leave me again. Change your mind at any time.

smile tugs at my lips as I remember those early days. "You'd break into my apartment while I was at work. Spread your scent around. It

furrows slightly, but he remains

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

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

me, everything he's been through because

how you can be so strong, so secure in your love, especially after... after

gaze never

complete stranger. He's starting to see me, even if he doesn't see his fated mate. It's

forcing me to repay a debt," I say, the words tumbling out before I can stop them. "You were always

sound that reverberates through the quiet room, but I

* * *

"How'd it go?"

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

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 hint of the bond. Then he says something so casual that just destroys every last hope I've ever

a pitiful handful of chips. I raise an eyebrow

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

now? It feels temporary, but our home isn't

the meager remains of my lunch, my