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.
My eyes
fingers. But I hold back, not wanting to make him uncomfortable. He may acknowledge our
at all, I'm just thankful to have finally 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
furrows, a strange expression crossing his face. "Your scent... it's different today.
mortified. Whatever it is, he doesn't seem to like it. "I showered before I came, I insist, my voice
lip, trying to think of what could have changed. Maybe
me?
I waft the
leans forward to sniff, then shakes his
his eyes, reminiscent of the way
nose wrinkles and he
doesn't like
mate dislike my scent?
I wanted to bury myself
I
nose wrinkles again. "I think it
drops.
Grey. The Blackwood
filled him in on recent history and
on my neck. "Beta
knee to rest his arm against it. Casual. Powerful. Looking way too good for someone who doesn't want me yet. My body and bond within me yearn to get closer, to snuggle against him, but I shove
he muses. "A curious
connection. No choice for either of us, I remind him,
I forgot about
288 Ava: Healed
some random
to stop letting these little
back, and that string of connection within me is humming, tugging
can't focus on that
wrong?" he asks
I'm sure you're
the doctors said anything about you breaking out of this room? I'm sure desperate to get
Desperate. His face shutters, and I wonder what landmine I've walked into. "We haven't
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