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

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

Almost there. Almost—

can smell wet fur. And

spin around, keys clenched between white

drips from dagger-like fangs. His russet fur tells me everything I need to know about

Todd.

to torment me

I grab the door from behind my back, turn,

is a reprieve; I'll

me, I take a moment to lament the damage to my car. I have no idea how much it will cost to repair my cracked windshield;

Damn it.

"Ava. Come here."

walk toward my

shit. He knows exactly what they do to me; as long as it isn't

Mom stands behind him, her disapproving stare leveled over my

head as I enter the room, focusing my gaze on

bother greeting him with words. All he wants to see is my submission. Words are a waste of time coming from the lowest ranking

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

the Lunar Gala this year. I trust you have enough money from your… job

and cold breezes straight through my limbs, shoving past all that anxiety to settle straight into my brain.

a little harder, and then skips another. The Lunar Gala. I've missed out on it

encompassing the Northwestern Territories. Unmated wolves from all over

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

strange for the Blackwood Pack to attend this year. Even Jessa hasn't been to one; historically, our entire pack avoids it. The official story is that there's

to attend is a palpable force in the room, and I risk a quick

odor came through, but of course there's nothing. Just me. "Phoenix and Jessa will be there, so make sure to

Just a beta throwing out

buzzing with excitement at the idea of leaving this place

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