Tangled

Unshift 274

Unshift 274

274 Ava: Give Us Both Time.

END SEASON FOUR!

"...and that's how we met," I finish, my heart racing as I watch Lucas's face for any sign of recognition. His brow furrows slightly, a look of concentration I've seen a hundred times before. But there's no spark of memory in his eyes, no sudden realization. 1

1

"That's... quite a story," he says. His tone is polite, interested even, but it's clear the tale doesn't resonate with him on a deeper level. It might as well be a movie plot for all the personal connection he feels to it.

I swallow hard, trying to push down the disappointment threatening to choke me. "Yeah, it is," I agree, forcing a smile. "Not exactly a fairytale beginning, huh?"

Lucas chuckles, the sound achingly familiar yet somehow wrong. It lacks the warmth, the depth of feeling I'm used to hearing. "I guess not. But it sounds like we worked things out eventually."

"We did," I nod, my fingers twisting in the blanket covering his legs. I want so badly to reach out and touch him, to take his hand in mine. But I'm afraid of how he might react, this Lucas who doesn't know me. "It took some time, but we got there.

A heavy silence falls between us. I can feel Lucas studying me, his gaze intense in a way that's familiar and foreign all at once. There's curiosity there, maybe even a hint of attraction, but none of the bone- deep recognition I'm used to seeing.

"Can I ask you something?" I blurt out, unable to bear the tension any longer.

Lucas nods, his expression open. "Of course."

I take a deep breath, steeling myself for the answer I'm afraid I already know. "Do you... can you feel our bond at all? Even a little?"

His face falls, genuine regret clouding his features. "I'm sorry, Ava. I wish I could say yes, but..." He trails off, shaking his head. "There's nothing"

My heart sinks, but I try not to let it show on my face. "That's okay," I lie, my voice barely above a whisper. "It'll come back. It has to."

of hesitation in

He

his eyes narrowing slightly. "If we're mates, why

mark there?"

hand flies to my

the unmarked skin. "Oh, I breathe, feeling heat rise to my cheeks. "That's because... well, we haven't

me flinch. How do I explain the complexities of our relationship? The fears and insecurities

1/4

Give Us Both

impossible to condense it all into a

"We've both had our reasons for waiting. And then there just never seemed to be the right time, with everything that's been happening." Lucas nods slowly,

we were getting there," I add hastily, needing him to understand how far

were?" There's a hint of something

quiet, his gaze distant. When he looks back at me, there's a softness in his eyes that makes my breath catch. "I'm sorry," he says

trying to hold back the tears that are

clear my throat, desperate to change the subject and escape the weight of Lucas's confusion and my disappointment. "So,

crosses his face. "No one's sure. Nothing they

about this doesn't add up. Alphas heal incredibly fast, even from severe

It isn't just the memory loss; it's the entire situation. There's something weird going

does your wolf

usually so warm and full of life, seem dull

gone?

try to process what he's just said.

I ask, my voice trembling. "Like, you can't hear him?

jaw tightens. "I mean gone. As in not there. There's

protest, leaning forward in my chair. "Your wolf is a

from the trauma? Like