Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 154 Ava: Their Connection (1)

My face falls, but he reaches out, cupping my cheek with one warm hand. "I'm furious that you put yourself in

danger. That's all."

Well, that's fair.

But I'd do it again. In a heartbeat. No matter what he thinks.

His eyes narrow. "You're thinking that you'd do it again, aren't you?" Suspicion laces his voice.

Maybe avoiding the question is better than answering it. "Where do we go from here?"

"With what?" His thumb rubs over my cheek, his golden eyes dark as he watches me.

"Everything. Lisa. The vampires. My powers."

He sighs. "I don't know. It's a lot to think about."

When his hand drops from my face, I'm disappointed by the absence of his warmth. Still, | try to focus on what's

important. "Have you ever heard of the Mad Prince before?"

"No." Lucas frowns. "Unfortunately, we don't know a lot about vampires and the Unregistered cities. A few basic

things, but we've beccomplacent in the overall peace of the world. I'm going to have to fix that mistake."

"How?"

His head shakes slightly, and his eyes look a little unfocused. He's probably talking to Kellan through the pack

link again, so | wait patiently for him to finish.

"It's dangerous to send scouts to the Unregistered city," he murmurs. "Few make it back alive."

His words are a shock, and my hands grow cold. | understand that I'm a little sheltered, but I've watched enough

human news to know a few things. | had no idea the relationship with vampires was that fraught. "That bad?

Then how is Lisa going to survive there?"

"There are humans who live in the Unregistered cities. Plenty of people cand go through them—they are a

modern city like any other. Internet, stores, cars. But they don't welcmost shifters."

| hesitate, thinking back on my conversation with Sister Miriam. "It sounds like they do sbusiness with rogue

wolves."

"Yes." He frowns. "That doesn't help us, though."

No, but if I work with Sister Miriam...

But by the look on Lucas' face, | don't think that's going to be an option in his mind.

Of course not.

Isn't Selene supposed to be watching TV?

| can still hear you two, you know.

"Ava." His voice grabs my attention, as he grips my hands tightly. "I need you to promisethat you aren't

going to see Sister Miriam without talking tofirst."

"Lucas..."

"Rescuing Lisa isn't going to happen in a few hours. It might not even be in a few days."

My heart drops. Although a logical part ofalready recognizes that, | can't reconcile the thought of Lisa being

in danger for that long without help. "I can't just leave her there."

"We're not giving up, Ava. But we need to do this safely. You understand, don't you?"

"Of course | do." | just don't agree with it. Knowing that, | can't quite meet his eyes.

Having a relationship with Lucas is getting in the way of saving my best friend.

I'm not sure what the right answer is, but | don't like the options he's giving me.

"I promised you | would let you be a part of this, remember? I'm not shutting you out. I'm not stopping you from

saving her. We just need to take it one step at a time, and not rush ourselves. Hold on, Kellan's—"

He goes silent, his gaze unfocused again.

| sit up a little straighter, and this tthe conversation ends quickly. "How quickly can you be packed?" he asks,

sounding distracted.

"Now."

He nods, his eyes unfocused again. After a few minutes, he's back. "Your mother isn't talking. She won't until she

sees you."

Mom.

I'd completely forgotten about her, focused only on Sister Miriam.

"I'll go," | say without hesitation. Never seeing her again would be the option I'd choose at any other time, but

not now. Not with Lisa's safety at stake.

"| figured you would. Vanessa's packing up what she needs. We'll head to the airport in about an hour."

"Vanessa?" | ask in surprise.

"You're still recovering," Lucas points out. "I'm not risking your health over this."

Fair enough. "That's fine. | love Vanessa."

Lucas hesitates, looking torn. "I should cwith you."

"No. Absolutely not. You need to be here for your pack. You've suffered a tragedy, and they need their alpha."

Reaching out, | grab his hand. "Send Kellan with me. He'll keepsafe."

"Vester is there, too. And... Clayton." Lucas watcheswith caution. "Clayton is a good friend. A good alpha."

"Yes. He's a good friend." The emphasis on the word doesn't go unnoticed, and | watch his shoulders relax

slightly. "I need to talk to Clayton, too. About us. | haven't really done it, and he deserves a face-to-face

conversation."

He brings my hand to his lips, dropping a soft kiss against the back of it. "Cback to me, Ava."

His words are strained, as if he's holding himself back from saying the words he really wants to say.

Walking around the table between us, | reach out to touch his face, my fingers brushing against the harsh

stubble on his cheek, tracing the dark circles beneath his eyes.

| can see the exhaustion, the toll of this day.

And yet he's here with me, puttingfirst.

Listening to the insanity of my world.

Not once beratingor makingfeel less than.

He leans into my touch like a man starved of affection, his eyes drifting closed as he lets out a long, slow breath.

My heart aches as | lean forward, brushing my lips against his in a gentle kiss. He shudders, his hand coming up

to cup the back of my head with gentle pressure.

Tender. Sweet. Peaceful.

A moment for lovers.

I've kept him at a distance for so long, walls up to protect my heart. But in doing so, I've hurt him too. Damaged

the fragile roots of what we've been growing together.

| need to make this right, as much as he has.

My efforts need to match his.

Can | do that?

His other arm wraps around my waist as he stands, the angle of our kiss deepening as he yanksflush against

his body.

The sweet moment slides into something else, his mouth slanting against mine, his tongue invading my warmth,

his hand tugging my head back by my hair, gentle yet insistent.

There's desperation in his desire, as though I've opened the floodgates with my affection.

My hands slide into his hair, fingers tangling in the dark strands. | pour everything | feel into the kiss. All the

words I'm not ready to say.

I'm sorry. I'm here. I'm yours.

Lucas' grip tightens, his strong arms banding aroundlike steel. Unbreakable. Inescapable.

But | don't want to escape. | want to burrow deeper into his embrace and never leave.

He walksbackwards, and | trust him to guide me, focused on the frenzied kiss and his hands sliding over my

body. After a small eternity, my calves bump against my bedfrand we tumble onto the mattress together.

His weight settles over me, grounding and thrilling all at once.

| break the kiss, panting for air. His eyes meet mine, molten gold full of hunger and need. But beneath that, a

vulnerability. A silent question.

Do you really want this? Want me?

"Lucas," | breathe, one hand cupping his face. "I—"

But he swoops down again, rough against my lips.

Restless and urgent, | yank his shirt up and slide my hands down the hard planes of his abdomen, trying to

unbutton his jeans by feel.

"Wait," he mutters against my lips, and | shake my head.

"I don't want to. We only have an hour."

He groans. "Fuck. Ava, | didn't mean to start this."

"Shut up and take your clothes off, alpha." | shove him off me, struggling onto my knees, yanking my shirt over

my head and unhooking my bra in a swift motion. My confidence is fake, but my desire is real.

He watcheswith dark eyes and parted lips, and it isn't until | reach for his jeans again that he finally moves,

tearing off his clothes in wild movements.

"I don't think | can hold back," he warns me, as | shimmy my panties down my legs.

I laugh a little, my nerves kicking in. "I'm not asking you to."

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