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.

raises his hand and knocks, the sound impossibly

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

The bond in my chest flares to life, a supernova of emotion that steals my breath and

My mate.

his opposite arm secured in a sling. Bandages crisscross his exposed

is his healing so

273 Ava: My Lucas

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

intensity that usually blazes between us. He regards me with the same polite disinterest he might show a nurse or

My mate, the other half of my soul, is looking at me like I'm nobody. Can't he sense our

that disappeared for

the silence as he

by a truck, Lucas

a physical blow. I struggle to breathe, to keep my face neutral even as everything

says, his tone careful. "She's your

furrow, confusion etching itself across his features. "My mate?" He looks at me. again, more intently this time, but there's still no flash of

your memory might take some

force myself to step closer to the bed, summoning a smile that feels brittle and false on my face. "Hi, Lucas," I manage, hating how small and

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

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

bed, careful not to jostle him. Up close, the extent of his injuries is even more apparent. Bruises

I...?" I gesture vaguely, wanting to touch him but

as I brush my fingers over his uninjured arm. The contact sends a jolt through me, our bond humming

tells me we are... close," Lucas says, his tone cautious. "I'm sorry I can't remember.

in my throat, but I swallow it down. Difficult doesn't even begin to cover it. "It's not your fault" I assure him. "I'm just glad you're