Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 11

Chapter 11 Ava: The Novel Grind

Chapters 11-17 have been rewritten to improve story flow and pacing. [June 27, 2024]

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The new beginning I crave begins in a quaint town by the name of Cedarwood, just outside of Spokane, Washington. It isn't that I made a conscious choice to stay here, exactly. I sensed shifters at the train station in Spokane and panicked. A rideshare app and a destination chosen at random brought me to Cedarwood.

Specifically, to an adorable bookshop cafe on a picturesque little street in the middle of their commercial district.

Seriously, the entire street gives me a modern Victorian vibe, and families all walk because there is literally no parking anywhere. I guess people come here for the charm.

Two weeks later, I'm still at the shop, only now I'm working there. As an added perk, I even get an apartment in the above floor. It was used as storage for a few years by my new boss, and I have a lot of cleaning to do yet, but it's mine, and I love it, even if there are boxes everywhere.

I still don't know how all the luck managed to swing my way, but I'm not going to complain. I haven't seen a single shifter since I came here, and from what I hear, the Aspen Pack treats humans well in their territory. There's a huge part of me that's terrified they will come banging on my door, demanding to know why I haven't informed them of my presence, but—well, that's a problem for future Ava.

I'm hoping that I smell human enough to not be bothered.

Mrs. Elkins enters the store, the bell above the door announcing her arrival. I look up from the book I'm shelving, a smile already forming on my lips. There's something about her presence that puts me at ease. There might even be a tiny part of my mind that thinks she's married to Santa Claus.

her rheumy eyes crinkling at the

for

fills the space. "Oh,

cheeks warm. "I'm just

closer, resting her hand over mine. Her touch is comforting, almost maternal. "The Novel Grind is a haven,

lashes in a desperate attempt to hide how hard her words

us. "Among the thousands of realities written

upon shelves of books. Each one holds a different story, a different life. Maybe,

think I will." I rub my breastbone, feeling that

dear. No doubt

back a laugh, I wipe the tears from my eyes in a discreet motion hidden behind adjusting my glasses. Carlos is my new co-worker. He's a few years older than me, kind and funny, and looks in my eyes when we talk. He treats me like an equal, and it's

say, my voice filled with genuine warmth. "He's even helped me prepare to sign up

never noticing how I tense at the familiar scent. "That's great, dear. Excuse me. I'll take care of her.

toward the stranger, I keep them in

here for coffee,

like anyone would have found me so quickly,

the books as the customer leaves, feeling a

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