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.
with healing, but we never finalized ours. Still, it feels good to think that
My eyes
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 doesn't know me. Not
one doing everything for me. It's odd to have the shoe on the other fit He chuckles.
brow furrows, a strange expression
chest, mortified. Whatever it is, he doesn't seem to like it. "I showered before I came, I insist, my voice higher than usual. "I'm clean." Lucas
what could have changed. Maybe the bracelet Dr.
me?
my wrist, I waft the
leans forward to sniff, then shakes
of the
his nose wrinkles and he recoils back just a bit,
He doesn't like
dislike my scent? Such
I wanted to bury myself in
I
sounding oddly distant as his nose wrinkles again. "I think it should be okay. What's your
drops. "Ava. Ava
Grey. The
Kellan must have filled him in on recent history and
nod is heavy 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
"A curious choice of
connection. No choice for either of us, I remind him,
I forgot
288 Ava: Healed
just some random detail...
stop letting these little phrases get me down,
my arm, I realize my itching is back, and that string of connection within me is humming,
on that right now. I'm
he asks me,
I'm sure you're
anything about you breaking out of this
I wonder what landmine I've walked into. "We haven't
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