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.

the taint? I won't be there to sense

he gets

What if—

This must be how he feels every time I leave

Probably.

lends

"You okay, Ava?"

staring down at me with worry creasing his eyebrows, I can only smile. "I'm fine. Just worrying about you. Wishing I could keep you home, in

His eye twitches. "What?"

variety of emotions. I think he's happy

"Me, too."

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

need to leave soon. Everyone's

heart constricts a little. "Promise me you'll be careful

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"Always am."

here while you're gone? The taint is spreading faster,

will be here." Lucas squeezes my hand. "The entire pack knows what to do in case of emergencies. We've trained for this, Ava.

never scheduled," I

was a joke,

out a breath, I just

is, my anxious little Luna, we're ready. Every wolf here knows their role. And you've

as we can be. I have to trust

you to give me that promise, you say I'm being an

wrinkle my nose at him. "When

his golden eyes sparkling with mischief

his face overwhelms me. I shove my shoulder against him, putting my whole weight into it—which, let's be honest, isn't much compared to

that echoes across the snowy grounds. Before I can process his next move, his hands grip my waist and lift me into

us like confetti, catching in my

contact. The kiss steals my breath away, deep and passionate. The

curl into the fabric of his coat, clinging as the world continues to spin even

renewed intensity. The playful moment shifts into something deeper, more primal. His thumb traces my cheekbone while his other hand splays across