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.
finalized ours.
My eyes
feel the warmth of his skin beneath my fingers. But I hold back, not wanting to make
odd to have the shoe on the other fit He chuckles. "I can see how that might be
His brow furrows, a strange expression crossing his face.
seem to like it. "I showered before I came, I insist, my voice higher than usual. "I'm clean." Lucas shakes
bite my lip, trying to think of what could have changed. Maybe
me?
waft the bracelet
forward to sniff, then shakes his head.
flash in his eyes, reminiscent of the way Lucas used to
might be wrong. By the way his nose wrinkles and he recoils back just a bit, my guess is that I'm really
He doesn't like
scent?
hated Lucas, I wanted to
I
wrinkles again. "I think it
heart drops. "Ava.
The Blackwood Greys,
would remember that-but, of course, Kellan must have filled him in on recent history and the current pack situation. Of course he knows my
is heavy on my neck. "Beta Grey is my father,
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 choice of
fated connection. No choice for either of us, I remind him, and
forgot about
288 Ava: Healed
it's just some
these little phrases get me down,
at my arm, I realize my itching is back, and that string of connection
can't focus on that right now. I'm with
he asks me,
I'm sure you're
said anything about you breaking out
His face shutters, and I wonder what landmine I've walked
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