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?

something I

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 haven't been brought into

staying, I guess. Is there another place you'd

He shakes his head.

Then when they discharge you and I bring you

me now, Selene

me focus

whines and rubs her head against his

hand squeezes

should be home soon."

we haven't necessarily cohabitated. Though, there's Lisa-so

"I don't like being apart. Most of our time as mates

all in hiding due to 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 storm clouds, I

warmth of his body and the steady thrum of his heartbeat bring me

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

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

flatten against her head, and I feel a wave of indignation through our bond. I am not some common canine,

hand. reaches down to scratch behind Selene's ears, and her eyes close in bliss despite

tinged with affection. "Selene's the only reason I've stayed

through our connection. Still, she maintains her air of nonchalance, as if Lucas's words mean nothing to her. But I know better. I can feel the depth of her emotions, the

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

my head about

I bet.

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

thir atsella

mamarlan and his mankı malina mui haart

Lucas

care of him,