Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted novel Chapter 432

LISA

Watching Ava struggle with the aftermath of the strange attack leaves me humbled. It feels like she's been growing all this time, while I've been sitting stagnant. Even my relationship with Kellan…

My gaze drifts to Kellan's broad shoulders. The gentle way he touches me, the way he watches my every step—it's a consideration he shows me. Every. Single. Day.

A knot forms in my throat.

The mate bond between us is something I can feel now, like an extra heartbeat in my chest, but I keep that door sealed tight. Sometimes I catch him watching me with those storm-gray eyes, waiting for me to let him in. To trust him. To love him back the way he loves me.

The memory of cold hands on my skin makes me shiver. Sharp fangs. Blood. Pain. Memories I thought I was over, but keep intruding of late.

No, nope. Not today, Satan. Focus on Ava.

I push away from the wall and cross the room. "Hey." My arms wrap around her thin frame. She feels as though she's lost ten pounds in one day; magic seems to take a lot out of her. "You need to sleep for at least an hour. Non-negotiable."

"Lisa—"

"Nope. Doctor's orders."

Her lip twitches. "You're not a doctor."

"Hey, I've watched enough Grey's Anatomy to qualify." The joke falls flat, but at least she cracks a weak smile. "One hour. That's all I'm asking. The families will still be here when you wake up. Go now, before I get mean about it."

"Okay," she agrees easily enough, a sure sign she's exhausted.

Vanessa's eyebrow lifts. "Impressive."

"Kellan, can you take her to her cabin?" My fingers twist in the hem of my sweater. "Make sure she actually sleeps?"

"On it." Kellan guides Ava toward the door over her protests, where she keeps saying she isn't going to do anything and doesn't need a babysitter. The room falls quiet as their footsteps fade.

Vanessa stands, adjusts her scrubs, and heads for the door. Her hand pauses on the handle. "Lisa?"

"Hmm?"

"Is there something wrong with your leg?"

My heart skips a beat for some reason. "What?"

"You keep rubbing your thigh." Vanessa's dark eyes fix on my leg. "I've noticed it the past few days."

I glance down. Sure enough, my palm presses against my thigh, right over the spot where fangs once pierced flesh. The phantom sensation of teeth breaking skin sends ice through my veins. The memory burns, itches, demands attention.

Nope, not going down that hellscape of memories. I'm stronger now. Different. Recovered and normal now.

I snatch my hand away. "Just a bad habit with an old wound. How are you doing? You look exhausted." Looking her over, I add, "You probably need the rest as much as Ava does."

Vanessa's eyes narrow as she studies my face, her lips pursed, but she lets it go to say, "I've had worse shifts. It comes with the job"