Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted novel Chapter 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. 

Mate bonds are supposed to help with healing, but we never finalized ours. Still, it feels good to think that my presence has somehow contributed. 

My eyes 

fix on his hand resting on the bed. I ache to reach 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 he doesn’t know me. Not really. 

288 Ava: Healed 

“If being here helped at all, I’m just thankful to have finally done something for you. My lips quirk. “You’re usually the one doing everything for me. 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 little less knowing he’s healing, though. Maybe soon his memories will return. That would be amazing. 

Suddenly, Lucas sniffs the air. His brow furrows, a strange expression crossing his face. “Your scent… it’s different today. Why?” 

Heat floods my 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. “I’m clean.” 

Lucas shakes his head. “No, it’s not that. There’s something… new.” 

I bite my lip, trying to think of what could have changed. Maybe the bracelet Dr. Blackwell gave 

me? 

“Is it this?” Lifting my wrist, I waft the bracelet in the air between us. “It’s new.” 

He leans forward to sniff, then shakes his head. “No. Something else. Earthier.” 

There’s a flash in his eyes, reminiscent of the way Lucas used to look at me. Hungry. 

Though I might be wrong. By the way his nose wrinkles and he recoils back just a bit, my guess is that I’m really wrong. 

Shit. He doesn’t like how I smell. 

How can my mate dislike my scent? Such a thing should be impossible. 

Even when I hated Lucas, I wanted to bury myself in my scent. 

“Sorry. Should I shower again?” 

“No,” he says, sounding oddly distant as his nose wrinkles again. “I think it should be okay. What’s your name again?” 

My heart drops. “Ava. Ava Grey 

“Right. Grey. The Blackwood Greys, right?” 

For a second, I’m 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 old pack. 

My nod is heavy on my neck. “Beta Grey is my father, yes. 

He looks thoughtful, bending his knee 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 against him, but I shove that urge aside: 

The 

enemy, he muses. “A curious choice of mate. 

“It’s a fated connection. No choice for either of us, I remind him, and his eyes flash. 

“Right. I forgot about that” 

288 Ava: Healed 

Forgot. Like it’s just some random detail… We’re fated. 

I have to stop letting these little phrases get me down, but it’s hard. 

Scratching at my arm, I realize my itching is back, and that string of connection within me is humming, tugging as if to get my attention. 

But I can’t focus on that right now. I’m with Lucas. 

“What’s wrong?” he asks me, studying my face. 

I’m sure you’re 

“Just itchy. Have the doctors said anything about you breaking out of this room? I’m sure desperate to get out of here. 

“Right. Desperate. His face shutters, and I wonder what landmine I’ve walked into. “We haven’t talked about it.” 

Awkward silence descends. Squeezing my hands between my knees, I try to look anywhere but at Lucas, who stares at me like he’s trying to figure out a puzzle. 

His intense 

gaze sends shivers down my spine. They’re pleasurable, at odds with the ache in my heart. I scratch absently at my legs, trying to ignore the growing itch that seems to spread across my skin. The air between us feels charged, heavy with unspoken words and emotions ] can’t quite decipher. 

I know what I’m feeling; the question is what he’s feeling. Sometimes I think he’s warming up to me. Other times I think he’s suspicious of me. It’s like walking on a tightrope of emotions. “What do you want from me?”