Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 16

Chapter 16 Ava: Day With a Dog

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

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"Sorry, she isn't normally like this," I apologize, tugging Selene away from the man.

"Such a pretty dog," he says, squinting at me from beneath a wide-brimmed hat.

Something about him sets off my paranoia radar, but I don't scent anything strange. He's dirty, with stained brown pants and shoes that have seen better days.

Homeless, maybe.

Uncomfortable, I step to the side, tugging Selene away as she continues to growl. "Sorry," I apologize again, wondering why he doesn't try to leave.

His head turns to me, and he looks me up and down. "Pretty girl, too," he says, revealing a gap-toothed smile, with yellow teeth and breath that could knock down any wolf shifter within a hundred mile radius.

My stomach flips and I struggle to control the nausea building in my belly. "Thanks," I mutter, not sure how to respond. He's in the way of the dog food, but I don't want to get any closer. Besides, Selene seems ready to rip his face off.

"Come on, girl, let's go this way." This way leads to the birds, but I'd rather be around them than the strange man.

I dart down the side aisle, preferring rudeness over another moment in his bizarre presence, putting some distance between me and the strange man. When I glance behind me, he's still standing there, his eyes boring into me.

Even from this far, his gaze is intense, and it occurs to me I don't even know what color his eyes are.

It's like the pressure in his stare was too much to notice such a minor detail.

A shiver races down my spine.

A store employee approaches the man. Relieved, I take the opportunity to slip away, rounding the corner into another aisle. Selene trots beside me, her earlier agitation gone. At least one of us has calmed down.

After a few twists and turns through the aisles, I find myself in front of the dog food section, having taken a roundabout route.

The man is nowhere in sight.

I realize I have no idea

I muse aloud, grabbing

dim. Her fluffy tail droops and she lets out a little whine. I blink, staring at her. Is she disappointed in my choice? Can dogs even be disappointed?

she

But still.

just imagining things. It's been a weird day and that creepy guy has

the brown hat. Fortunately, he's still nowhere to be seen. I breathe a sigh of relief as I set my items on the conveyor belt—the tags for the leash and collar, and the

for the total, mentally tallying the cost in my head. Leash, probably $20. Collar, maybe $15. The food might be a bit pricier, so let's

an eye on prices. Today, I'm

be $110.67," the

Over a hundred dollars?" I sputter, staring at

nods, unfazed by my reaction. "Yep. The dog

a 30-pound

smirking at me. "You better appreciate this," I mutter, handing over my debit

the feeling that someone's watching me. I scan the parking lot, but see no sign of

I'm going to make it all the way home while carrying a bag of dog food, so I call for a rideshare, staring down at my new moneysink, who returns my gaze

* * *

Selene hates dog food.

as I shove her bowl under her nose makes me feel a little like I'm feeding

said it's a

to buy one for the dog—and she

hadn't

you do when your stray dog doesn't want

the bowl on the floor, I grab my phone and peruse the internet, learning a few fun

Huskies are notoriously

Huskies have a lot of personality and aren't a great choice for first-time dog

glance at the one in front of me, who nudges the bowl closer to

Yep, sounds about right.

Fact Three: I'm screwed.

before, but I know one

comes up to halt its process. She lets out a little rumble of

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