Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

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

out on trembling legs. The keys jangle in my grip as I stumble towards the front

Almost there. Almost—

smell wet

between white knuckles.

lips curled back in a snarl. Saliva drips from dagger-like fangs.

Todd.

to torment me and

grab the door from behind my back, turn, and rush

is a reprieve; I'll take

a moment to lament the damage to my car. I have no idea how much it will cost to repair my cracked windshield; it'll eat into

Damn it.

"Ava. Come here."

walk toward my parents, worried butterflies floating

of course, says nothing about the wolf outside. He doesn't give a shit. He knows exactly what they do to me; as long as it isn't in his eyesight, where he has

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

I enter the room,

my submission. Words are a waste

say a word as I cradle my

have enough money from your… job to be properly dressed

through my limbs, shoving past all that

harder, and then skips another. The Lunar Gala. I've missed out on it for the past

a big deal, encompassing the Northwestern Territories. Unmated wolves from all over

and talks all their pack politics—but in reality, the Lunar Gala is more of a matchmaking ball. Alliances are made

to one; historically, our entire pack avoids it. The official story is that there's bad blood between a few alphas and ours,

at having to attend is a palpable force in the room, and I risk a quick glance upward. He's looking over my head, not even straight at

nothing. Just me. "Phoenix and

a beta throwing out

my expression neutral, but inside, I'm buzzing with excitement at the idea of leaving this place even if it's only