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. They're golden and

he finally recognizing the

That would be great.

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

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 me for

into my apartment while I was at work. Spread your scent around. It should have been creepy, but... it

slightly, but he

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

from my family, Lucas. You're

everything he's done for me, everything he's been through

you so much," I admit, my voice cracking slightly. "I can't even begin to understand how you can be so strong, so secure in your

gaze never

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

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

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

* * *

"How'd it go?"

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

I 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 hint of the bond. Then he says something so

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

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

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

of my lunch, my appetite suddenly gone. "It's fine. I'm