Tangled

Unshift 264

Unshift 264

264 Ava: Lucas is Recovering

264 Ava: Lucas is Recovering

"How can that be?!"

It's a stupid question. Betrayal comes in all shapes and sizes. It can happen to anyone at any time.

But it's still a shock.

Kellan shakes his head. "It's the only thing that makes sense. Someone knew every move we made. It's why secrecy is valued even here." He rubs the bridge of his nose with a long sigh. "Getting everyone here felt impossible. We lost so many, even after the fighting, during the retreat. Especially after Lucas was hurt."

"He's okay now, right?"

Kellan stares at me, a muscle in his cheek twitching. "To an extent, yes. Your Sister Miriam arrived in time

to stabilize him."

I frown. "What do you mean?"

"If she and Selene hadn't been there, Lucas would have succumbed to his injuries."

That can't be possible.

20:21

1/7

264 Ava: Lucas is Recovering

It's hard enough to accept that he was grievously injured without a single hiccup in the bond between

1. us.

It's worse to think I could have lost him, and had no idea. Even now, the only feeling in my chest is of my bond humming in excitement, ready to see Lucas, impatient with this detour Kellan's devised.

"I can't feel anything different. It feels the same as it always does, in here." I touch my chest, tears filling my eyes at the thought of almost losing Lucas. We've barely had time together, with all these insane happenings around us. "Why didn't I feel it?"

"You have a fated mate connection, but you aren't marked. You aren't mated. You wouldn't feel anything. It's either there, or it isn't." He rubs a hand vigorously over his head, making a face. "Can't feel direction or anything else, not unless they're nearby."

Oh. He's frustrated.

and has

out. "She should be

so fast I barely register it. His hands alamn

20:21

217

<

Lucas

bruises. His eyes

takes my breath away.

way I've never seen. Not even when he first recognized his mated connection, the day we lost

Lucas felt when he finally found me? My heart flips at the thought, a desperate longing to see him washing over me. I push it aside, focusing on Kellan. "Yes," I assure him, keeping my voice steady. "That's

He glances down at his hands, still gripping my arms, and abruptly lets go. Stepping back, his features smooth into the mask of beta professionalism

Ava," he says, voice clipped. "That

my arms where his

do. The relief and hope

forever burned into my

20.21

37

Ava: Lucas

their fated connection. I'm not sure how well

over.

information?" Kellan asks,

man named Acarus told us. He's... connected to Sister Miriam." Kellan's eyebrows rise slightly at that. "Sister Miriam," he murmurs. "She's been

his head, as if

heart races. "I want to

carefully. "But

wrapping around Kellan's forearm. The muscles beneath my grip are taut, betraying the tension

20:22

(4/7

Luca

Ava: Lucas

shut, and he drags his free hand down his face. A low growl rumbles in his chest, a sound of frustration and something I can't quite put

isn't..." He pauses, swallowing hard. "He's not the same

his skin, but I can't let go. "Stop being so fucking cryptic and just tell me!" Desperation claws at my insides. "What's wrong with him?" Kellan's eyes snap

has lost

I stumble back, my hand

process what he's

That can't be possible.