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.

to Lisa and has

coming," I blurt out. "She should

register it. His hands alamn down man muunner arme his grin tight

20:21

217

<

Lucas is

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 recognized his mated connection, the day we lost

desperate longing to see him

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

voice clipped. "That was inappropriate of

my arms where

and hope in his eyes,

is forever burned

20.21

37

Ava: Lucas

to me Lisa doesn't know about their fated

over.

you get this information?" Kellan asks,

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

head, as if clearing

races. "I want to

recovering," he says carefully. "But

the tension he's trying so hard to hide. "What do you

20:22

(4/7

Luca

Lucas is

growl rumbles in his

isn't..." He pauses, swallowing hard. "He's

tell me!" Desperation claws at my insides. "What's wrong with him?" Kellan's eyes snap open, meeting mine. The pain I see there steals my breath. When he speaks, his voice is barely

has lost his

words hit me like a physical blow. I stumble back, my hand falling from

process what he's

That can't be possible.