Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 299 Ava: Lucas is Alone

Lucas watches us both, calm despite only hearing one half of our conversation.

Grabbing his hand, I give a gentle squeeze to show I'm still paying attention to his presence.

"Do you know how?"

Selene's idea is a tall order. It isn't like amnesia has some sort of cure.

The dhampir has an idea. We can talk to her about it.

Wow. I'd forgotten about Sister Miriam entirely. Between Lucas and now Selene's return…

My thoughts are interrupted when Selene suddenly darts out of her comfortable position to shove her nose into my chest, sniffing intensely.

Showing mild irritation, Lucas grabs her by the scuff and yanks her away. To my surprise, Selene merely slinks low in submission as her ears tilt in my direction, blue eyes hard and suspicious. What's that scent?

Slapping my hand over the new mate mark, right next to my crescent scar, I ask defensively, "What scent?"

Lucas sniffs at me. "You smell fine to me."

There's something new, she insists, pawing at my leg. What is it? What did you get into?

"I didn't get into—"

The string near my magic tugs, and I pause. "Oh. Maybe it's that."

"What?" Lucas nuzzles into my neck, brushing his lips against the raw skin of my mate mark. "Is something wrong?"

"No. Selene can just sense something I almost forgot about." Sorry, Grimoire. "Actually, I—"

The string yanks again, almost painful in its insistence, and I pause. This isn't a safe place to mention him. "I'll tell you both later." Where it's safe, I add silently to Selene, wishing Lucas could hear me. Wait. Shouldn't he be able to…?

asks, answering my question. I guess he can't hear me. I'll have to ask Vanessa. Is it because I haven't been brought into

I'm staying, I guess. Is there another place

He shakes his head.

Then when they discharge you

tell me now,

me focus

and rubs her

mine and he changes the subject. "The doctors say everything's fine. Aside from waiting on the results of a few of

flip-flopping. We've shared a sleeping space before, but we haven't necessarily

exactly the same. Especially with one bedroom. But

better," I agree. "I don't like being apart." Most of our time as mates has been spent away from each

the new-found apocalypse. As dire and terrible as it is, maybe it'll finally afford us both a little time to deepen our bond with each

and storm

as I melt into his embrace. The warmth of his

of my last heat,

The mark helps.

Lucas' body seems to

silence, followed by the insistent press of fur against my leg. I crack open an eye to see Selene trying to

bulk. "It's

our bond. I

head. His hand reaches down to scratch behind

her," Lucas murmurs, his voice soft and tinged with affection. "Selene's the only reason I've

joy and pride surge through our connection. Still, she maintains her air of nonchalance, as if Lucas's words mean nothing to her. But I know better. I can

run my fingers through Selene's fur, marveling at the complexity of our situation. My wolf,

my head about

I bet.

every word. The thought of Lucas alone in this sterile room, cut off from his memories and his pack, makes my

her pleasure at the recognition. Someone had to look after him, she replies, her mental tone softening. He's important to us