Tangled

Unshift 299

Unshift 299

299 Ava: Lucas is Alone

Lucas watches us both, calm despite only hearing one half of our conversation.

Grabbing his hand, I give a gentle squeeze to show I'm still paying attention to his presence. "Do you know how?"

you!

Selene's idea is a tall order. It isn't like amnesia has some sort of cure.

The dhampir has an idea. We can talk to her about it.

Wow. I'd forgotten about Sister Miriam entirely. Between Lucas and now Selene's return...

My thoughts are interrupted when Selene suddenly darts out of her comfortable position to shove her nose into my chest, sniffing intensely.

Showing mild irritation, Lucas grabs her by the scuff and yanks her away. To my surprise, Selene merely slinks low in submission as her cars tilt in my direction, blue eyes hard and suspicious. What's that scent?

Slapping my hand over the new mate mark, right next to my crescent scar, I ask defensively, "What scent?"

Lucas sniffs at me. "You smell fine to me."

There's something new, she insists, pawing at my leg. What is it? What did you get into?

"I didn't get into-

The string near my magic tugs, and I pause. "Oh. Maybe it's that."

"What?" Lucas nuzzles into my neck, brushing his lips against the raw skin of my mate mark. "Is something wrong?

just sense something I almost forgot about. Sorry,

him. "I'll tell you both later." Where it's safe, I add silently to Selene, wishing Lucas could hear me. Wait. Shouldn't he be able to...? "When?" he asks, answering my question. I guess he can't hear me. I'll have to ask Vanessa. Is it because I

you're discharged home." I pause. "To the place I'm staying, I guess. Is

He shakes his head.

you and I

me now,

me focus on Lucas

and rubs her head

understand, because his hand squeezes

should be home soon."

stomach flip-flopping. We've shared a sleeping space before, but we haven't

time as mates has been spent

the new-found apocalypse. As dire and terrible as it is, maybe it'll finally afford us both a little time to deepen our bond with each other. Silver linings and

arms wrap around me, pulling me close as I melt into his embrace. The warmth of his body and the steady thrum of his heartbeat bring

none of the frenetic desire of my last heat, content to just nuzzle

The mark helps.

That would make sense. Lucas' body seems to

silence, followed by the insistent press of fur against my leg. I crack open. an eye to see Selene trying to wedge herself between us, her tail wagging with hopeful enthusiasm. "Really?" I mutter, shifting to accommodate her bulk. "It's just like having a real

I feel a wave of indignation through our

vibrating against my head. His hand. reaches down to scratch behind Selene's ears, and her eyes

voice soft and tinged with affection. "Selene's the only reason I've

I feel Selene's joy and pride surge through our connection. Still, she maintains her air of nonchalance, as if Lucas's

my fingers through Selene's fur, marveling at the complexity of our situation. My wolf, my mate, and me-all tangled together.

howling in my

I bet.

other, I say softly, meaning every word. The thought of

thir atsella

his mankı malina mui

Ava: Lucas is

care of him,