Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 432

Chapter 432: Lisa: PTSD

LISA

Watching Ava struggle with the aftermath of the strange attack leaves me humbled. It feels like she's been growing all this time, while I've been sitting stagnant. Even my relationship with Kellan…

My gaze drifts to Kellan's broad shoulders. The gentle way he touches me, the way he watches my every step—it's a consideration he shows me. Every. Single. Day.

A knot forms in my throat.

The mate bond between us is something I can feel now, like an extra heartbeat in my chest, but I keep that door sealed tight. Sometimes I catch him watching me with those storm-gray eyes, waiting for me to let him in. To trust him. To love him back the way he loves me.

The memory of cold hands on my skin makes me shiver. Sharp fangs. Blood. Pain. Memories I thought I was over, but keep intruding of late.

No, nope. Not today, Satan. Focus on Ava.

I push away from the wall and cross the room. "Hey." My arms wrap around her thin frame. She feels as though she's lost ten pounds in one day; magic seems to take a lot out of her. "You need to sleep for at least an hour. Non-negotiable."

"Lisa—"

"Nope. Doctor's orders."

Her lip twitches. "You're not a doctor."

"Hey, I've watched enough Grey's Anatomy to qualify." The joke falls flat, but at least she cracks a weak smile. "One hour. That's all I'm asking. The families will still be here when you wake up. Go now, before I get mean about it."

"Okay," she agrees easily enough, a sure sign she's exhausted.

Vanessa's eyebrow lifts. "Impressive."

can you take her to her cabin?" My fingers twist in the hem of my sweater. "Make sure she

guides Ava toward the door over her protests, where she keeps saying she isn't going to do anything and doesn't need a babysitter. The room falls quiet

the

"Hmm?"

wrong with

beat

dark eyes fix on my leg. "I've noticed it the

pierced flesh. The phantom sensation of

down that hellscape of memories. I'm stronger

with an old wound. How are you doing? You look exhausted." Looking her over, I add, "You probably need the rest as much

pursed, but she lets it go to say,

slight tremor in her hands tell a different story. "When's the last time you

still power through for a while. We don't have enough staff for

your feet," I point out. "You're always taking care of

leans against the door. "You sound

look after each other; their relationship is understated and calm, without any grand gestures.

don't ask enough questions. Life has evolved from girl talk and giggling over a cup of

again. Are you sure

force a smile. "I'm fine. Just

me if you ever need to talk. Or if that wound of yours keeps acting

my throat, but I step forward and wrap my arms around Vanessa, overwhelmed by a rush of emotion. "Thank you. For everything you do

this supernatural world of ours. She pats my back with a

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