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.
healing, but we never finalized ours. Still, it feels
My eyes
the warmth of his skin beneath my fingers. But I hold back,
It's odd to have the 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
sniffs the air. His brow furrows, a strange expression crossing
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
of what could have changed. Maybe the
me?
my wrist, I waft the bracelet in the air between us.
forward to sniff, then shakes his head.
of the way Lucas
wrinkles and he recoils back just a bit, my guess
doesn't like how I
my mate dislike my scent?
Lucas, I wanted to bury myself
Should I shower
wrinkles again. "I
drops.
Grey. The
he would remember that-but, of course, Kellan must have filled him in on recent history and the
neck. "Beta Grey
knee to rest his arm against it. Casual. Powerful. Looking way too good for someone who doesn't want me yet. My body
"A curious
fated connection. No choice for either of us, I remind
forgot
288 Ava: Healed
just some random detail... We're
stop letting these little phrases get
at my arm, I realize my itching is back, and that string of connection within me is humming, tugging as if to get
that right now.
asks
I'm sure you're
itchy. Have the doctors said anything about you breaking out of this room? I'm sure desperate
face shutters, and I wonder what
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