Tangled

Unshift 273

Unshift 273

273 Ava: My Lucas

The hospital is a scurry of activity, more than I expected considering its small size.

Nurses and doctors rush through the long hallway, their footsteps echoing. The 'Staff Only

door behind the reception desk is in constant motion, barely staying shut for more than a few seconds at a time.

Kellan leans in close to the receptionist, speaking in hushed tones. This woman's different from the one we encountered earlier, but her demeanor towards Kellan is just as warm. A hint of a smile plays at the corners of her mouth as she nods along to whatever he's saying.

Lisa's going to be pissed, once she finds out Kellan's her mate. She's not one to share.

Hopefully she gets here soon. The need to see her is only second to my gnawing ache without Lucas by my side.

"Ava. Kellan's voice cuts through my musings. "This way."

With each step, my heart rate picks up. Finally. I can finally see my mate.

The bond within my chest sings in my veins.

Deep breaths, I remind myself. In through the nose, out through the mouth. It doesn't do much to calm the lightheadedness that's creeping in, making the fluorescent lights overhead seem too bright, too harsh. It's as if every pair of eyes in this hospital is trained on me, judging my every move. I know it's ridiculous. These people are far too busy with their own tasks to care about some random woman walking down the hall. But the paranoia clings to me like a second skin, making my palms sweat and my steps falter.

Get it together, Ava. You're being ridiculous.

We come to a stop outside a closed door. My breath catches in my throat.

and knocks, the sound impossibly loud

a source of comfort, now sends a chill down my spine. It's cold, brusque, lacking any of the warmth I've come to associate

does a

The bond in my chest flares

My mate.

his opposite arm secured in a sling. Bandages crisscross his exposed skin, a patchwork

his healing so

273 Ava: My Lucas

My fingers itch to touch him, to soothe, to heal. But I'm rooted to the spot, frozen by the look in his

us. He regards me with the same polite disinterest he might

on me. He doesn't know me. My mate, the other half of my soul, is looking at me like I'm nobody. Can't

has that disappeared

as he steps up behind

by a truck, Lucas replies,

are like a physical blow. I struggle to breathe, to keep

says, his tone careful.

me. again, more intently this time,

doctors said your memory might take

bed, summoning a smile that feels brittle and false on my face. "Hi, Lucas," I manage, hating how

click, that he'll suddenly remember everything. But after a moment, he just nods. "I'm sorry," he says,

I lie, even as my heart splinters. "You've

on the edge of the bed, careful not to jostle him. Up close, the extent of his injuries is even more apparent. Bruises mottle his skin in shades of purple and yellow. There's a nasty gash above his

I gesture vaguely, wanting to touch

hesitates for a moment, then nods. I reach out, my hand trembling slightly as I brush my fingers over his uninjured arm. The contact sends a jolt through me, our bond humming to

Lucas says, his tone cautious. "I'm sorry I can't remember. This must be difficult for

laugh bubbles up in my throat, but I swallow it down. Difficult doesn't even begin to cover it. "It's not