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

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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.

Lisa and

out.

so fast I barely register it. His hands alamn down man

20:21

217

<

Lucas is

bruises. His eyes burn with an

takes my breath away.

demands, raw and emotional in a way I've never seen. Not even when he first

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 what I was told. Lisa should be on her

seeming to come back to himself. He glances down at his hands, still gripping my arms, and abruptly lets go. Stepping

says, voice clipped. "That was inappropriate of

tell him, rubbing my arms where his

and hope in his

is forever burned into my

20.21

37

Lucas is

to me Lisa doesn't know about their fated connection. I'm not sure how well that's going to

over.

get this information?" Kellan asks, all business

to Sister Miriam." Kellan's eyebrows rise slightly at that.

shakes his head, as if clearing away

"I

says carefully. "But there have been unexpected

are taut, betraying the tension he's trying so hard to hide. "What do you mean?" I demand, my voice rising. "Stop beating around the bush,

20:22

(4/7

Luca

Lucas

face. A low growl rumbles in his chest, a sound of frustration and something I can't quite put

hard. "He's

"Stop being so fucking cryptic and just tell me!" Desperation claws at my insides. "What's wrong with him?" Kellan's eyes snap open, meeting mine. The pain

has lost

me like a physical blow. I stumble back, my hand falling from his arm. "What?" I

process what he's

That can't be possible.