Unshift 288
Unshift 288
288 Ava: Healed
Lucas motions toward his arms and legs with a wry smile. "I guess my healing came back with a vengeance." That's an understatement.
My heart pounds as I rush a few feet forward, stopping short at the foot of the bed as I drink him
In.
Alive. Well. Healed.
The strong alpha I remember, even if he doesn't know me anymore.
"Can L... would it be okay if I looked you over?" All the confidence I projected at that receptionist from earlier is gone, and I'm timid in front of my mate, this man with my heart in his hands.
He surprises me by standing up beside the bed, a low chuckle stirring my heart and tear ducts. into production. A slow circle, arms raised, as if showing himself off.
Steady,
Confident.
No trace of the injuries that had left him bedridden.
The familiar planes of his face soften with a lopsided smile that squeezes my heart. I ache to touch him, to assure myself this isn't another dream that will evaporate like mist.
His golden eyes are clear, no longer marred by the hint of pain. The broad shoulders I once clung to stand straight, unbowed by suffering. His skin is unblemished, no longer marred by recent wounds. Joy surges through my veins, bright and buoyant. He's here. Whole. Well, almost.
My vision blurs with tears, and I hiccup in the most unladylike manner. "I'm so glad you're better.
The words aren't enough to convey the depth of my joy over his recovery.
Lucas motions for me to sit on the end of the bed. I perch there, hyper-aware of his presence as he settles on the opposite end. The distance between us feels too far, and I wonder if for him it isn't far enough.
His gaze is still that of a stranger, but his words are more friendly than yesterday. "The mate bond must be real. You're the only change in my treatment. I guess my body recognizes it
somehow.
supposed to help with healing, but we never finalized ours. Still, it feels good to
My eyes
reach out, to feel the warmth of his skin beneath my fingers. But I hold back, not
It's odd to have the shoe on the other fit He chuckles. "I can see how
air. His brow furrows, a strange expression crossing his face. "Your scent...
to like it. "I showered before I came, I insist, my voice higher than usual. "I'm clean." Lucas shakes his head. "No, it's not that. There's
lip, trying to think of what could have changed.
me?
I waft the
forward to sniff, then shakes his head. "No. Something else.
reminiscent of the way Lucas used to look
might be wrong. By the way his nose wrinkles and he recoils back just a bit, my guess is
doesn't like how I
mate dislike my scent? Such a thing should be
hated Lucas, I wanted to bury
I
his nose wrinkles again. "I think it should be okay. What's your
heart drops. "Ava.
The Blackwood
he would remember that-but, of course, Kellan must have filled him in on recent history
neck. "Beta Grey is my father,
way too good for someone who doesn't want me yet. My body and
"A curious choice of
a fated connection. No choice for either of
forgot about
288 Ava: Healed
Like it's just some
have to stop letting these little phrases
realize my itching is back, and that string of connection within me is humming, tugging as if to
focus on that right
asks me,
I'm sure you're
itchy. Have the doctors said anything about you breaking out of this room? I'm
His face shutters, and I wonder what landmine I've walked
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