Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 448: Lisa: I Don't Want to Sleep Alone

LISA

The timing couldn't possibly be worse.

It's just past midnight, and I know enough details about Ava's sex life to know this is not a good time to knock on her door. On the other hand, this is serious and not wanting to interrupt sexy time is not a good reason to put myself—and others—in danger.

But it's still awkward to stand outside the alpha cabin and knock as hard and rapid as I can, trying to instill a sense of urgency without having to scream through the door and wake up even more people.

This wouldn't be an issue if Kellan was here, but no, the man is absolutely driven to find any trace of the Mad Prince he can. He's been gone for two whole days, and I haven't seen his face.

I'm pretty sure he's avoiding me, but that's an issue for another day.

My boot connects with the crusty snow bank over and over as I wait, sending tiny crystals skittering across the wooden steps. The cold seeps through my jeans, but I barely notice it anymore. Two days without Kellan's furnace-like presence has reset my internal thermostat.

The door swings open. I squeak—a sound I'll deny making until my dying day—as Lucas' bare chest fills the doorway. Oh, boy.

"Come in." His amber eyes are bright and his words are terse.

My stomach drops. I know that tone; it's never been directed at me before, but I recognize it. That's his you-better-have-a-good-reason-for-this voice. Which means I definitely interrupted something.

Something that involved no shirts, Ava, and other details I really, really don't want to think about. It's fun to squeal over girl talk, but not when your best friend's lover is half-naked in front of you in the middle of the night.

arm.

Lisa. I gathered that from

thanks to Ava. It doesn't take long for the sweat to heat. The living room is noticeably empty of any living creature aside

"Getting dressed."

and die. I shuffle toward the kitchen, desperate to put some distance between me and Lucas's knowing stare. "I'll just... wait here. You know. Away. From...

His voice holds a hint of amusement

know. I don't want to know. In

the bedroom. "You can stop torturing her, Lucas." Ava's voice carries through the door, and she

I just said we weren't doing

"She's not stupid, Lucas."

conversations you can't unhear. I'd happily demand every single detail of her sexcapades over coffee, but this is a separate issue. "I'm sure you were both sleeping, and I'll go to my

out of the bedroom, wearing one of Lucas' shirts that hangs to her thighs. Her hair's a mess, but she's smiling. Though she looks relaxed and calm, there's a tightness around

isn't like I make it a habit to bother them at this

She plops onto the couch next to Selene, who immediately puts her head in

at midnight. I rub my thigh, the burning

he—" Ava cuts herself off, but we all know what she means. Where the Mad Prince bit

harder against my thigh. "It's worse tonight. Like

to sit beside Ava, resting his arm over her

back there. I could smell it and feel it." A brutal shudder rips through me. "He was there, though. He was talking to himself, mumbling a lot. Saying I belonged to him and that

I