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.

the sound impossibly loud

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

heart does a somersault in my

step into the room, and my world narrows to the man on the bed. The bond in my chest flares to life, a supernova of emotion that steals my breath and

My mate.

in a stark white cast, his opposite arm secured in a sling. Bandages crisscross his exposed skin, a patchwork of white against his usual

his healing

273 Ava: My Lucas

detail, cataloging the changes, the injuries. My fingers itch to touch him, to soothe, to heal. But I'm

recognition, no hint of the intensity that usually blazes between us. He regards

down on me. He doesn't know me. My mate, the other

that disappeared

silence as he

hit by a truck, Lucas

blow. I struggle to breathe, to keep my face

is Ava," Kellan says, his

looks at me. again, more

okay," Kellan assures him quickly. "The doctors said your memory might

on my face. "Hi,

face, searching for something. I hold my breath, hoping against hope that something will click, that he'll suddenly remember everything. But after a moment, he just nods. "I'm sorry," he says, and the genuine regret in his voice is almost worse than indifference. "I wish I could remember

heart splinters. "You've been through

apparent. Bruises

to touch him but unsure if it's

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.

swallow it down. Difficult doesn't even begin to cover it. "It's not your fault" I assure him. "I'm just glad