Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 406 Ava: His Departure

I'm reluctant to leave Ivy's side, but Vanessa thinks my presence might actually be worsening the fever.

So—reluctantly—I leave the hospital, followed by my silent and shadowy entourage of guards. It kind of feels like there are more of them now. I can't really keep up, but I've gotten used to having them around.

But apparently, even with a giant mob of wolves surrounding me, I can still be snuck up on.

"Ava."

Before my brain recognizes the warm voice, I jump near out of my skin. It's dark out now, and my observational skills are (clearly) a little lacking. Probably due to the fact that I'm constantly surrounded by professionals who do it for me.

"Jesus, Lucas. You could warn a girl first."

His rich laughter wraps around me, warming my anxiety-ridden heart, as his arm slides around my waist. The solid weight of him against my side blocks the wind, but all our layers keep the heat of his skin away from me. Proper shifters are always so warm. He's like my own personal heater.

There are definitely benefits to being mated.

"Where are you headed?"

"Home." I press closer, shivering a little in the bitter cold. My body's warm, but my cheeks are freezing. And my nose. "Are you done with the others?"

Lucas nods, but there's an unusual tension in the set of his jaw. His fingers flex against my hip.

"What's going on?"

"I need to take a team out." He keeps his voice low. "We're going to track down Ryder and Jericho."

My stomach drops. I lean into him more heavily as we walk, needing the emotional connection more than his physical support. "How long will you be gone?"

"Hard to say. Depends what we find out there."

The words hang between us, heavy and heartless. Maybe they're dead. We've been losing a lot of people lately. Scouts here and there. Not enough to dent the numbers, but we shouldn't even have one loss.

Snow crunches under our boots as we walk, and I focus on that sound rather than the fear trying to claw its way up my throat.

taint? I won't be there

he

What if—

must be how he feels every time I leave

Probably.

least lends a little humor

"You okay, Ava?"

creasing his eyebrows, I can only smile. "I'm fine. Just worrying about you. Wishing I could keep

His eye twitches. "What?"

emotions. I think he's happy I'm worried about him, but he's also definitely offended.

"Me, too."

pocket, lacing his fingers through mine. The warmth of his skin seeps into my frozen fingers, and I squeeze his hand tight. Our boots

leave soon. Everyone's gathering

a little. "Promise me you'll be careful out

on My

"Always am."

you're gone?

Lucas squeezes my hand. "The entire pack knows what to do in case of

never scheduled,"

a

out a breath, I just grumble, "Not

throat, his lips twitching. "The point is, my anxious little Luna, we're ready.

to trust in that. "Just come back

give me that promise, you say I'm

wrinkle my nose at him. "When did you get so

his golden eyes sparkling with mischief in the dim light. "I'm

my shoulder against him, putting my whole weight into it—which, let's be honest, isn't much compared to his solid frame. My attempt to knock

into rich laughter that echoes across the snowy grounds. Before I can process his next move, his hands grip my

catching

capture mine mid-laugh, with a heat that blazes with contact. The kiss steals my

coat, clinging as the world continues to spin

The playful moment shifts into something deeper, more primal. His thumb traces my cheekbone while his