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.
to help 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
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
furrows, a strange expression crossing his face.
like it. "I showered
my lip, trying to think of what could have changed.
me?
the
forward to sniff, then shakes his head. "No. Something else.
a flash in his eyes, reminiscent of the way Lucas used to
his nose wrinkles and he recoils back just a bit,
doesn't like how
scent? Such a
I hated Lucas, I wanted to bury myself in my
Should I
he says, sounding oddly distant as his nose wrinkles again. "I think it should be okay. What's your
heart drops. "Ava. Ava
The
him in on recent history and the
heavy on my neck. "Beta Grey is
want me yet. My body and bond within me
he muses. "A curious choice of
either of us, I remind him, and his eyes
forgot about
288 Ava: Healed
some
stop letting these little phrases get me down,
realize my itching is back, and that string of connection
that right now. I'm with
asks me, studying
I'm sure you're
the doctors said anything about you breaking out of this room? I'm
His face shutters, and I wonder what landmine I've
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