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 he looked at me

he finally recognizing the

That would be great.

and I'm transported back to Cedarwood. Back to when he'd found me, after I'd run away from

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

my apartment while I was at work. Spread your scent around. It

slightly, but he remains silent,

a whisper. "And awkward too. It's endearing, really. The way you bend over backwards to

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

he's been through because of me, settles heavy on

can't even begin to understand how you can be so strong, so

gaze never leaves

my Lucas, but at least he isn't staring 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

can stop them. "You were always there, waiting for me to turn to you. And now...

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

* * *

"How'd it go?"

pounces on me as soon as I walk through the door, her eyes shining with optimism and the

his eyes burning into me. "I don't know. Every so often, I think he's getting

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

"Wasn't sure when you'd come home, so

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

of my lunch, my appetite

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