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
My eyes
fingers. But I hold back, not wanting
shoe on the other fit He chuckles. "I can see how that might be strange Like
sniffs the air. His brow furrows, a strange expression crossing his
arms over my chest, mortified. Whatever it is, he doesn't seem to like it. "I showered before I came, I insist, my
lip, trying to think of what could have
me?
it this?" Lifting my wrist, I waft the bracelet in the air between
forward to sniff, then shakes his head. "No.
eyes, reminiscent of the way Lucas used to look at
By the way his nose wrinkles and he recoils back just a bit, my guess is that I'm really
like how
my scent?
I wanted to bury myself in
Should I shower
his nose wrinkles again. "I think it should be okay. What's your name
drops.
The Blackwood
second, I'm startled he would remember that-but, of course, Kellan must have filled him in on
on my neck. "Beta Grey is my father,
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
choice for either of
I forgot about
288 Ava: Healed
just some random detail... We're
little phrases
realize my itching is back, and that string of connection within me is humming, tugging as if to get my
that right now. I'm with
he asks
I'm sure you're
you breaking out of this
what landmine I've walked into. "We haven't talked
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