Filed to story: Tangled in Moonlight Unshifted Novel by Lenaleia
Lucas reaches for my face, his fingers hesitant and gentle against my skin. Warmth flows between us, a feeling of comfort, and the urge to press my cheek into his hand, nuzzling close.
“We don’t know for sure. Vanessa thinks your wolf is trying to emerge. Do you feel any different?”
For so long, I yearned to shift, to run beneath the moon. To be whole. But now, with all the strangeness surrounding my heritage, the idea fills me with trepidation. I flick a glance toward my wolf, disguised as a husky for a reason she has yet to explain, and her ears flick as she licks my face, settling into my lap as though she’s a lap dog.
She’s not. She’s way too big for that.
Don’t be afraid, Selene soothes, sensing my unease. This is natural for you
Natural. The word tastes like ashes on my tongue. Nothing about my life has been natural. Is Vanessa right? Are you going to be a part of me now?
Selene presses her head against my chest, but Lucas and Lisa are talking.
“Are you okay, Ave? Do you remember anything?” The feeling of my best friend’s hands enveloping mine is…
Nice.
Like family.
Like coming home.
A few tears try to make their way out of my eyes, but I blink them away as best I can.
I don’t need to cry just because there are two people on this earth who cares about what happens to me.
“I’m sorry, I’m still a little groggy.” And my throat hurts.
Lucas shifts on the bed, moving slowly so as not to jostle me or the wires that seem to be everywhere. His arms come around me, one sliding beneath my back and the other draping over my waist. He’s so careful, treating me like I’m made of glass.
I want to protest, to insist that I’m not an invalid, but the words die in my throat as he draws me into his embrace. His warmth envelops me, chasing away the chill that seems to have settled into my bones. I can’t help but lean into him, my head coming to rest against his chest.
His heartbeat is strong and steady beneath my ear, a soothing rhythm that makes my eyes flutter closed. For a moment, I let myself sink into his comfort, drawing strength from his presence.
“Ava,” he murmurs, his breath stirring my hair. “I was so worried.”
The raw emotion in his voice makes my heart clench. I tilt my head back to look at him, meeting his golden gaze. There’s so much thererelief, concern, and something else that I can’t quite name.
“I’m okay,” I whisper, even though I’m not sure if that’s entirely true.
My stomach chooses that moment to let out a loud growl, and I realize with a start that I’m absolutely ravenous. It feels like there’s a gaping hole in my midsection, a yawning emptiness that demands to be filled.
Lisa leans in, patting my arm. “Don’t worry, Ave. You’re getting all the nutrients you need through that.” She points to one of the IV bags, the one that looks like it’s filled with milk.
I eye it skeptically. The idea of being sustained by a bag of liquid doesn’t exactly fill me with confidence.
You need real food, Selene chimes in, her voice. echoing in my head. To regain your strength.
She’s right. I can feel the weakness in my muscles, the way my body seems to have wasted away during my time unconscious. The thought of solid food makes my mouth water, my stomach clenching with anticipation.
A movement at the door catches my eye, and I look up to see Vanessa stepping into the room. Her gaze sweeps over me, assessing, and I can’t help but shrink back against Lucas’s chest.
“How are you feeling, Ava?” she asks, coming to stand at the foot of the bed.
“Hungry,” I admit, my voice still raspy. “And weak.”
She nods, as if that’s exactly what she expected to
hear. “That’s normal, given how long you were out. We’ll start you on a liquid diet and gradually work up to solid foods.”
I must make a face at the mention of a liquid diet, because she gives me a small smile. “I know it doesn’t sound appealing, but we need to be careful not to overwhelm your system. Your body has been through a lot.”
That’s an understatement. I still can’t wrap my mind around the fact that I was unconscious for three weeks. It feels like I just closed my eyes for a moment, and now everything has changed.
Lucas’s arms tighten around me, as if he can sense the direction of my thoughts. “We’ll get through this, Ava. Together.”
I want to believe Lucas. I want to believe that everything will be okay, that I’ll come out of this stronger than before. But there’s a part of me that’s terrified of what’s happening to me, of the changes. that I can feel taking place inside my body.
Change is inevitable, Selene says, her voice gentle. But it doesn’t have to be something to fear.
I know she’s right, but it’s hard to let go of the apprehension that’s taken root in my gut.
I have a feeling Selene knows why I’ve been unconscious for so long, but I can’t talk to her with
Lucas here.
Lisa squeezes my hand, drawing my attention back to her. “We’re here for you, Ave. Whatever you need.”
I manage a small smile, grateful for her support. “Thanks, Lise. I don’t know what I would do without you.”
“Probably starve,” she jokes, trying to lighten the mood. “Speaking of which, I’m going to go track down some of that liquid diet for you. Be right back.”
She slips out of the room, leaving me alone with Lucas and Vanessa. Selene hops down from the bed, stretching languidly before padding over to the window. She seems content to give us some privacy, though I know she’s still listening to every word.
Vanessa steps closer, her expression softening as she takes in the way Lucas is holding me. “Your body has been through a tremendous ordeal, Ava. It’s going to take time to recover, both physically and emotionally. But you’re strong. You’ll get through this.”
She smiles, reaching out to pat my leg through the blanket. “I’ll be back to check on you later. You’ll probably be asleep soon. I’ll be here in the morning, and we can talk more then.”
***
It takes three days until I’m strong enough to be discharged home.
It seems like forever, but Dr. Beaumont assures me- and Lucasthat it’s a miracle I’m going home so early. Having multiple giant meals of protein (rare steak being the food of choice) seems to have kickstarted some of that liquid diet for you. Be right back.”
She slips out of the room, leaving me alone with Lucas. and Vanessa. Selene hops down from the bed, stretching languidly before padding over to the window. She seems content to give us some privacy, though I know she’s still listening to every word.
Vanessa steps closer, her expression softening as she takes in the way Lucas is holding me. “Your body has been through a tremendous ordeal, Ava. It’s going to take time to recover, both physically and emotionally. But you’re strong. You’ll get through this.”
She smiles, reaching out to pat my leg through the blanket. “I’ll be back to check on you later. You’ll probably be asleep soon. I’ll be here in the morning, and we can talk more then.”
***
It takes three days until I’m strong enough to be discharged home.
It seems like forever, but Dr. Beaumont assures me- and Lucasthat it’s a miracle I’m going home so early. Having multiple giant meals of protein (rare steak being the food of choice) seems to have kickstarted whatever magical shifter healing ability lies in my body.
I’m not only betterI feel stronger and more fit than I was before I ever went unconscious.
Lucas, of course, won’t stop worrying. The full moon isn’t for another month, and Dr. Beaumont and
Vanessa seem convinced I will shift at that time.
Selene won’t answer when I ask her if that’s true.
And Lucas won’t leave so I can talk to Selene.
So I’m excited to be discharged, except…
“No. You’ll be staying at my house.”
Lucas won’t let me go back to Lisa’s apartment.
“Absolutely not. She’s coming back with me.” Lisa stands toetotoe with Lucas and his alpha presence. Kellan poked his head into the room a few minutes earlier to ask Lisa if she could help pack my things and bring them to Lucas’ house, and things just kind of exploded from there.
“I’m staying with Lisa.”
“No, you’re not.” Lucas runs a hand through his hair, looking frustrated and furious. He alternates death glares toward my best friend with an agitated frown in my direction. “I’ll feel better if you’re at the alpha lodge. You’ll be closer to the hospital, and Vanessa has access in order to provide care. It’s safer there.”
Lisa’s ready to blow, but I wave her down. “Are you trying to tell me you set my best friend in an apartment that’s unsafe?”
“No, of course not-“