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
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
on the other fit He chuckles. "I can see how that might be strange Like
brow furrows, a strange expression crossing
face. I cross my arms over my chest, mortified. Whatever it is, he doesn't seem to like it. "I showered before I came, I insist, my voice higher than usual.
my lip, trying to think of what could have changed. Maybe the bracelet
me?
I waft the bracelet in the
to sniff, then shakes
eyes, reminiscent of the way Lucas used to look at
wrong. By the way his nose wrinkles and he recoils back just a bit, my guess is
He doesn't like how I
mate dislike my scent? Such a thing should
hated Lucas, I wanted to bury myself in my
I shower
distant as his nose wrinkles again.
drops.
Grey. The Blackwood Greys,
startled he 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 family.
my neck. "Beta
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
"A curious choice
a fated connection. No choice for either of us, I remind him, and his
I forgot
288 Ava: Healed
just some random detail...
letting these little phrases get me down, but
and that string of connection within me is humming, tugging as if to get
focus on that right now. I'm with
wrong?" he asks me, studying
I'm sure you're
out of this
what landmine
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