Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 340 Ava: Reunited Mates

A shimmer in the air draws my attention back to Aurum. His massive form begins to shrink and change, fur giving way to skin, until Lucas stands before me in his human form.

I don't remember deciding to move, but suddenly I'm running towards him. We collide in a tangle of limbs, holding each other so tightly it's hard to breathe. But I don't care. He's here, he's back, and nothing else matters.

"You're back," I whisper into his chest, my voice thick with emotion. "God, Lucas, you're really back."

His arms tighten around me, and I feel his lips press against the top of my head. "Thanks to you," he murmurs. "You took care of everyone. Thank you, Ava."

I pull back slightly, looking up into his face. His eyes are the same, filled with warmth and love, but there's something else there now—a depth, a wildness that wasn't there before. It's breathtaking and a little terrifying.

My gaze drifts back to the bodies laid out nearby, and a wave of guilt washes over me. "I couldn't save them all," I say, my voice barely audible. "I tried, but I—"

Lucas cuts me off, pulling me back into his embrace. "You did everything you could," he says firmly. "More than anyone could have expected. You protected our pack, Ava. You led them when I couldn't."

Kellan and Vester approach, also covered in blood, with a bleak look on their faces.

I know they need to speak with him, to update him on everything that's happened. And I have somewhere I need to be, too.

This isn't the time for our reunion.

He's Alpha.

I'm Luna.

We have jobs to do.

from Lucas's embrace. "They need you.

me for a moment before he turns to his beta and delta. As

stained with blood and dirt. She moves from

she hasn't treated herself at all, running straight

she glances up at me, her eyes tight with stress. "Luna," she says, her voice clipped. "Good, we need all

want to yell at her to take care of herself first, but I get it. A sprained ankle is bad, but it's nothing compared

* * *

as I rush from one patient to another, my hands shaking but determined. I've lost track

we need more gauze over here!" someone calls

closet, nearly colliding with a familiar face. It's the human receptionist from my

respectful as she hands me a stack of gauze pads. "Is there

in her demeanor catches me off guard, but there's no time to dwell on it. "Thanks. Can you bring some saline

me to wonder at the shift in her demeanor. But that's a small blip on my radar, and I shrug it off as I head back with the

on, the tide of emergencies begins to ebb. The return of the evacuees helped. All the nurses and doctors are back, and a few

around a tray of steaming cups. The rich aroma of coffee mingles with the gentler scent of herbal tea, a little

cup of tea, the warmth seeping into my cold hands as I take a moment to breathe. The lobby is

eyes of the doctors, I find myself at a loss. My body aches,

wall, looking as exhausted as I feel. Without a word, we both slide down to sit on the

there, watching the slow, methodical movements of the mops. The quiet

No chatter.

No screams.

No sobbing.

amazing tonight, Ava," Vanessa says after a

"Me? Vanessa, I watched you work