Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 2

Chapter 2 Ava: Invitation

The eyes stalk me from the shadows, unblinking. Unwavering.

Fuck, fuck, fuck.

My hands tremble as I turn the key again. The engine sputters, coughs. Please. Please start. I can't die here. Not like this.

Another turn. A whine. A sputter.

The wolf steps out from the tree line, massive and menacing. Its fur blends with the night, a specter of death and torment.

I can't make out any distinguishing features in the darkness. No way to know which of my abusers has come for me tonight.

The engine roars to life. Thank God.

I slam my foot on the accelerator, tires screeching against pavement as I peel off down the road. My heart hammers against my ribs, blood rushing in my ears.

In the rearview mirror, I can see the wolf chasing me. Keeping pace with my car as I navigate the winding roads.

He howls, a promise of pain.

It's all a familiar, sick game. I hate it. I never know when it's coming; when someone's bored enough to begin.

It never ends well though. Not for me.

The streets of my neighborhood come into view. Mom and Dad won't save me, even if I'm being slaughtered in the front yard—but if I can make it inside, that's a different story.

No one disrespects the beta's home.

I whip into an awful parallel parking job, the car jerking to a stop. My hands shake as I fumble for my keys, dropping them twice before I manage to grab them.

just need

open the car door, I stagger out on trembling legs. The keys

Almost there. Almost—

wet fur. And

between white knuckles. My

feet away, lips curled back in a snarl. Saliva drips from dagger-like fangs. His russet fur tells me everything I need to

Todd.

to torment me and always

as I grab the door from behind

reprieve; I'll take

have no idea how much it will cost to repair my cracked windshield; it'll eat into the

Damn it.

"Ava. Come here."

Straightening my shoulders, I walk toward my parents, worried butterflies floating around in

doesn't give a shit. He knows exactly what they do to me;

armchair, his expression stoic as always. Mom stands behind him, her disapproving stare leveled over my shoulder.

bow my head as I enter the room, focusing my gaze on his

submission. Words are a waste of time coming from the lowest ranking

I cradle my wrist; they're blind to any injuries or

clears his throat. "You will be attending the Lunar Gala this year. I trust you have enough money from your… job to be properly dressed for the occasion. Be grateful that our Alpha allowed

breezes straight through my limbs, shoving past all that anxiety to settle straight

little harder, and then skips another.

gala is a big deal, encompassing the Northwestern Territories. Unmated wolves from all over will be there, hoping to find their fated

all their pack politics—but in reality, the Lunar Gala is more of a matchmaking ball. Alliances are made when high-ranking shifters mate into other packs, and new blood is

one; historically, our entire pack avoids it. The official story is that

at having to attend is a palpable force in the room, and I risk a quick glance upward. He's

of course there's nothing. Just me. "Phoenix and Jessa will be there, so make

he leaves. No more explanations. Just a beta throwing out his orders and

at the idea

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