Tangled

92 Ava Clearing the Air (1)

92 Ava: Clearing the Air (II)

My stomach churns, and I get through the rest of the words as quickly as I can. “My heat was uncontrollable, and I had sex with the alpha there. He took care of me and Phoenix kidnapped me when I was shopping with his sister. No, we aren’t mated, but we aren’t strangers, either.”

There.

It’s out.

I peek at Lucas to see his reaction, but he’s just sitting there, his eyes unfocused.

It’s obvious that he’s taking some time to process everything.

My eyes drop to our linked hands, and I wonder if I should pull away before he does.

“Huh,” he says, and squeezes my fingers.

Of all the responses I’d been expecting, that one isn’t on my list.

“Lucas?”

13.27 C

17

92 Ava: Clearing the Air (II)

He smiles at me, a lopsided little one. “I’m going to need a little time to process all this. I don’t understand how you can go into heat without a wolf, for one. But I’m not angry, Ava.”

I narrow my eyes in suspicion. “That doesn’t seem right.”

to xx

He sighs. “I’m… disappointed. In the situation, in how I put you there. In the way things could have gone but didn’t, because of me. I’m angry at myself, and I have

not upset with you, Ava. I don’t want to leave with you thinking that this

you haven’t chosen us yet. I know that there’s a lot more that you haven’t told me. I know that I fucked up. And I’m not going to do it again, not when you’re right here. I’ve

the roughness to his voice, his words

the Air

I nod.

you,” I whisper, finally feeling some of the stress ease from

isn’t angry with

Clayton for touching

“I wasn’t–he didn’t-”

joke,

really sound like he’s

him in doubt.

and kisses my fingers again. “Ava. I

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to give me

I nod, again.

to happen overnight. I know that we’re both pushed together by this bond, but I want more than that. I want you, heart and soul, with everything inside of you begging to be mine. I

37

the Air (II)

no bond between us. I want there

and no regrets.”

longing straight through my body, and tears

about how some other guy touched my mate. I’m the one who lost the right to call you that. I’m the one who pushed

all the anger.

puppet on a string. I don’t know how else to respond except to nod mindlessly at his words.

hurt you. I hurt you a lot. You need to have your -chance to be angry with me. Don’t feel obligated toward me, toward us, just

presses another kiss against my fingers, before

13.27

the

his actions are stirring a

that’s far from

“Lucas-”

to taste my skin, and his groan sends quivers straight into the very core of me. I shift beneath the blanket, wondering how we’ve gone from emotional admissions

that promise, I’m going to have to walk away from you right now. Fuck. My wolf is going insane. He doesn’t

with my other hand, gently touching his ‘disheveled hair. “Don’t go

a yellow glint in his amber eyes. His wolf is here, straining for control. Lucas nips at my wrist, pulling