Tangled

88 Ava: By Her Side

After the awkward experience of a catheter removal, a few hobbling walks to the bathroom, a round of pain medication, and an unappetizing dinner of salty yet tasteless beef broth brought to my room from the cafeteria (which was little more than hot water and bouillon–but I digress), I fall asleep, with no word from Lucas, watching the light wane from my window.

When my eyes flutter open again, the room is dark, with the faint hint of moonlight relieving the shadows. There’s the steady beeping of monitors and the

muffled sound of activity in the hall, but otherwise, my room is silent and still.

My heart’s racing, but I didn’t have a nightmare. Something prickles against my skin, an awareness of someone in the room.

Lucas is asleep in the recliner beside my bed. His features are relaxed, the usual intensity gone from his expression in rest. I study him in the low light, taking in the dark stubble along his jaw, the way his dark lashes fan across his cheekbones.

88 Ava: By Her Side

Despite everything that’s happened between us, his presence is a comfort and a balm to my heart, broken time and time again by the people who should love me

the most.

Here he is, keeping vigil by my bedside. The gesture speaks volumes, and I can’t help but dream of a future with my fated mate. A future I’d given up after that night at the Gala.

As if sensing my gaze, Lucas stirs, his eyes fluttering open. For a heartbeat, our eyes lock, and the world seems to narrow to just the two of us. He smiles immediately, the kind where your eyes crinkle up and get small because your cheeks are lifted higher than the sky.

My heart thumps hard. It’s his fangirl.

“Hey,” he says in that just–woke–up, groggy voice that should be a sin to have with a face that lovely.

“Hey,” I respond, smooth as fucking butter. Okay. I really need to get my hands on some romance novels. I bet the heroines in those know how to react when a

hot man has his eyes on her.

“I heard you had a good day.” He straightens in his

88 Ava: By Her Side

chair, stretching out his arms, then his back. I watch every movement like a stalker.

see his muscles rippling below the shirt hugging his torso. Why are shifter men

honestly.

my eyes

him, but I’m not ready to bring that dynamic into this equation. There’s so much to talk through, so much

just not

to be ready.

not. There’s too many secrets. I need

Selene.

No one wants to think about their possible future mate getting a

“I’m sure she’s

Yes. She’s quite the friend. My phone has blown up with more questions than I have answers to.

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Ava By Her

“Arriving? Already?”

laughs, a soft sound as his eyes soften. “She’s very motivated to see you, from what

can see

lip twitches.

scared to

do any damage.” I pause. “Physically.”

“Not physically, but…”

tilt my head, thinking.

shutter

be calm and

of a… butterfly?” I’m not really sure how

around.”

as if he hadn’t been fighting some base urges just seconds before. “Oh, I see. I’d Sᴇaʀ*ᴄh the FɪndNøvel.ɴᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to

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Ava By Her

are capable of controlling themselves

around a human.”

too.

“They’re doomed.”a

through peals of laughter, holding up a hand when Lucas stands. “I’m fine. It just–ow.

reason.”

he asks,