Filed to story: Tangled in Moonlight Unshifted Novel by Lenaleia
“I heard you had a good day.” He straightens in his chair, stretching out his arms, then his back. I watch every movement like a stalker.
I can see his muscles rippling below the shirt hugging his torso. Why are shifter men so built? It’s unfair, honestly.
“I did,” I say, pulling my eyes away with some reluctance when I see the satisfaction in his eyes. He’s happy to know I’m attracted to him, but I’m not ready to bring that dynamic into this equation. There’s so much to talk through, so much to deal with.
AndI’m just not ready.
I want to be ready.
But I know I’m not. There’s too many secrets. I need
Selene.
“I need to call my friend again,” I say, changing the subject from my health. No one wants to think about their possible future mate getting a catheter taken out.
Gross. “I’m sure she’s worried about me.”
“Lisa? Yes. She’s quite the friend. My phone has blown up with more questions than I have answers to. She should be arriving in a couple more days.”
“Arriving? Already?”
Lucas laughs, a soft sound as his eyes soften. “She’s very motivated to see you, from what I can tell. In her words, you ‘really freaked her out.””
Hah. Yeah. I can see that.
The corner of my lip twitches. “She’s a great person.”
“I’m a little scared to have her visit.”
“She won’t do any damage.” I pause. “Physically.”
“Not physically, but…”
I tilt my head, thinking. “Have any single friends?”
His eyes shutter immediately. “Why?”
His word comes out strained, as though he’s doing his best to be calm and polite and recognize that he has no right to lord his possessiveness over me.
“Well, Lisa is a bit of a… butterfly?” I’m not really sure how to explain her, “Everyone tends to follow her around.”
Lucas’ bunched shoulders relax, and he crosses his legs, casual as can be, as if he hadn’t been fighting some base urges just seconds before. “Oh, I see. I’d hope my men are capable of controlling themselves around a human.”
I nod. “I’d hope so, too. She makes killer cookies.”
“They’re doomed.”a
His absolute deadpan delivery has me laughing so hard my abdomen aches. “Ow!” I groan through peals of laughter, holding up a hand when Lucas stands. “I’m fine. It justow. Fuck. Okay. Ow. Shit. Haha. Oh, man. I’m sorry. That was really funny to me for some reason.”
“Because of cookies?” he asks, confused.
“No, justoh, never mind.” Wiping tears from my eyes, I readjust myself until I’m comfortable again. “It was just funny, thinking of Lisa being the downfall of your pack, seducing all your men with a plate full of chocolate chip cookies. That’s all.”
“I see.” His quirked brow says he doesn’t see at all, but that’s okay. I don’t need him to.
I sigh, leaning against my pillows. “When does she fly in?”
“Her plane arrives Wednesday at 9:07 a.m.,” he reports, the information memorized. “I’ve already set her up in a nearby hotel, and have a car ready for her if she needs one. She will be treated as an honored guest during her stay, and if she wishes to stay longterm…” Here his words go hesitant. “Well, we can help her with a transfer to the university in the city if she needs it,” he finally finishes, looking off to the side.
There’s a faint blush on his cheeks. He’s embarrassed.
Is it from the actions he’s taken to take care of her, or is it because he’s worried he went too far assuming I’m going to stay here?
Either way, I smile. “Thank you, Lucas. It really means a lot.”
“Of course, Ava.” He does meet my gaze now, the blush fading and his eyes direct and calm. “I told you before. I’ll do anything. I want you to understand how much I regret my actions before. I won’t ever let you hurt again.”
I glance away from Lucas, unable to hold his intense gaze. My heart sinks like a stone, the weight of the secrets I’ve kept pressing down on me.”
It isn’t even like I’ve been keeping them on purpose, but I feel like a shewolf caught cheating on her mate.
And yet no matter how innocent it was at the timeno matter what state our mate connection was inthese are the types of secrets that can bury our relationship before it ever starts. Honesty is the best policy. Better to get it all out in the open, even if he rejects me again.
Even if he formally rejects me.
Last time, the rejection was implied; this time…
I shudder at the thought and take a deep, steadying breath, trying to psych myself up.
I have to talk about my stay with the Aspen pack. About Clayton. I’ll have to explain about my heat, too.
As soon as I gather an ounce of courage, Lucas’ phone rings again. I gróan audibly, the sound ripping from my throat before I can stop it. “Are you serious?” It’s the
??
middle of the night! Who the hell calls someone in the middle of the night?!
Lucas’ brows furrow in apology, clearly thinking I’m upset that he’s taking calls during our conversation. “I’m sorry, it will only be a moment.”
“No, no,” I rush to assure him, waving a hand. “That’s not it at all. I’m just…” I trail off, unsure of how to explain.
He leans forward to kiss my forehead. Apparently this is something he’s going to do often.
I don’t mind it, but it doesn’t quite feel like we’re at that point yet.
I really need to talk to him.
“I’m sorry, Ava. This is another alpha. I’ll be right back.”
“Go, go.” I wave him off. It isn’t like I don’t understand the weight of such a call.
But then he utters words that make my blood run cold. “Hey, Clayton, is everything okay?”
I’m frozen.
I’m a frozen glacier of wolfless shifter, stuck on the hospital bed, staring at the back of my fated mate as he walks out the door, talking on the phone with my…
My what?
My lover?
He’s not my lover. We had sex, yes. Lots of sex.
Oh, and I might be pregnant.
Which… I don’t think I am. Because wouldn’t they have checked that already?
Shit, I’m going to have to somehow discreetly inquire about this.
No. No, not discreet. I need to tell Lucas, now, because he’s going to find out anyway.
Why is Clayton calling him?
Does he know who I am?
Is he wanting me back?
Shit.
My breath catches in my throat as anxiety grabs me by the neck, squeezing as hard as it can. Clayton. Of all the worst timing that could ever happen.
I stare at the door, closed behind Lucas. He’s already in the hall, talking to the man who saw all of me, naked as the day I was born.