Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 4 Ava: Planning

The next three days pass in a haze as I endeavor to leave my room as little as possible. I spend the time trying to make a plan to escape; there's no way in hell I'm staying here to become the pack's omega whore. My brain skirts past everything that happened with Todd, deciding ignoring it all was much cheaper than therapy.

The walls of my room close in on me. My heart pounds in my chest, and I can't stop the tears from falling. I try to distract myself with books, but every word seems to mock me, every page a reminder of my trapped existence. I've given up on my classes, because—well, I'm not coming back. Obviously.

I conclude that my best bet is to run from the gala itself, while everyone is too distracted to notice I'm gone. I pack a bag with escape in mind, filling it with clothes, food, and the balance in my bank account, after withdrawing it all. I don't know where I'll go or what I'll do, but I can't stay here anymore.

I buy a burner phone and program Lisa's number into it, but I'm not sure if it will be safe to text her when I'm gone. Like a coward, I say nothing about my plans, and find myself pre-mourning the loss of my best friend. If I tell her anything, she will be in danger, assuming my pack cares enough to hunt her down for information. It's better to act like everything's normal.

At dinner on the third day, I sit at the table, pushing food around my plate as my Dad drops the bomb. We're going to the Silvermoon Pack's territory for the gala.

It's happening.

Composure is hard to keep when a million fire ants are crawling around inside your skin in a psychosomatic manifestation of anxiety, but somehow, I manage. Either that, or my family doesn't care enough to notice anything off about me.

In two days, I can't believe I'll be surrounded by shifters looking for their fated mates, while I'm just trying to find a way out.

Dad clears his throat and I glance at him, surprised to find his eyes locked on me. "Ava," he says, in this weird cadence that I think was supposed to be… soothing? "This is a big event for all of us."

"Yes, Father."

would look odd

studying me with his trademark detachment. He has an easy, loving relationship with Jessa, but me? He inspects me like I'm

to all of them,

we are there, Ava." His eyes trail to the bruises at my neck, and I flinch. They weren't as bad as I thought they would be, but I

at my green beans with my fork.

there. So just try to stay out of trouble and keep your mouth shut." He returns his attention to his dinner, and I clench my fist in my lap, hidden beneath the

point in feeling

* * *

most of my familial interactions—in silence. Mom, Dad,

of an alpha, one arm draped across his door and his entire body relaxed. The radio is off, because of course it is. He looks so

hours pass, and rolling plateaus give way to the mountains of the northern boundaries of the state. My thoughts drift to Lisa, wondering what she's up to and if she

not planning on doing anything foolish at the

face, wondering if he somehow

Lord, or Moon Goddess, or whoever is

return to staring out the window, trying to sound nonchalant. "Besides, it's not like anyone can mate a defect." Oops, the

sound. I guess he approves of my bleak outlook on my