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.
never finalized ours. Still,
My eyes
resting on the bed. I ache to reach out, to feel the warmth of his skin beneath my fingers. But I hold back, not wanting to make him uncomfortable. He may acknowledge our bond now, but he
done something for you. My lips quirk. "You're usually the one doing everything for me. It's odd to have the shoe on the other fit He chuckles. "I can see how that might be strange Like it's someone else's problem. It hurts a little less knowing he's healing, though. Maybe soon his memories will return.
His brow furrows, a strange expression crossing his face. "Your
"I showered before I came, I insist, my voice higher than usual.
my lip, trying to think of what could have
me?
this?" Lifting my wrist, I waft the bracelet in the air between us.
sniff, then shakes his head. "No.
flash in his eyes, reminiscent of the way Lucas used to look
his nose wrinkles and he recoils back just a bit, my guess is that I'm really
like how I
dislike my scent? Such
when I hated Lucas, I wanted to bury myself
Should I
as his nose wrinkles again. "I think it
drops. "Ava.
The
course, Kellan must have filled him in
my neck. "Beta Grey is my father,
want me yet. My body and bond within me yearn to get closer, to snuggle against
muses. "A curious
for either of us, I remind him, and his
forgot about
288 Ava: Healed
it's just some random detail... We're
to stop letting these little phrases
is back, and that string of connection within me is humming, tugging
I can't focus on that right now. I'm with
he asks
I'm sure you're
you breaking out of this room? I'm sure desperate to get
His face shutters, and I wonder what landmine I've walked into. "We haven't talked
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