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

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"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."

movement jostles his injuries. When he speaks. again, there's a note of hesitation

He

slightly. "If we're mates, why don't I see

mark there?"

my throat instinctively, fingers

cheeks. "That's because... well, we haven't completed our

accusatory, but it still makes me flinch. How do I explain the complexities of our relationship? The fears and insecurities that held me back, the

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Give Us Both

condense it all into

sound. "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, processing this information. "I see, he says, though I

add hastily, needing him to understand how far we'd come. "Before all

of something in his voice-surprise?

breath catch. "I'm sorry," he says quictly. "I can see

trying to hold back the tears that are suddenly burning behind my eyes. "It's okay, I manage, my voice thick. "You will.

and escape the weight of Lucas's confusion and my disappointment. "So, um, how's your healing going? It

sure. Nothing they run explains why I'm not healing at

draw together. Something about this doesn't add up. Alphas heal incredibly fast, even from severe injuries. For Lucas to still be bedridden after all this time... it's

edge when he talks about his alpha's recovery. It isn't just the memory loss; it's the

your wolf

stares at me for what feels like an eternity. His golden eyes, usually so warm and full of life,

gone?

reels as I try to process what he's just said.

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

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

impossible," I protest, leaning forward in my chair. "Your wolf is a part of you.

trauma?