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.

bags, I realize I have no idea what to choose. What does a stray

do you think, Selene? Beef or chicken?" I muse aloud, grabbing a bright blue bag of

out a little whine. I blink, staring at her. Is she disappointed in my choice? Can dogs even be disappointed? It's not like she

she can smell

But still.

bag anyway. I'm probably just imagining things. It's been a weird day and that creepy guy has

out for the man in the brown hat. Fortunately, he's still nowhere to be seen. I breathe

the items and I wait for the total, mentally tallying the cost in my head.

an eye on prices. Today, I'm all

be $110.67,"

drops. "What? Over a hundred dollars?" I sputter, staring

reaction. "Yep. The dog food alone is $75. It's a

a

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

the store, I can't shake the feeling that someone's watching me. I scan

carrying a bag of dog food, so I call for a rideshare, staring down at my new moneysink,

* * *

Selene hates dog food.

under her nose makes me feel a little like I'm feeding her something terrible.

lady said it's

the bowl around—it's one of mine, because I didn't think to buy one for the dog—and she turns her head

hadn't expected

do you do when your

floor, I grab my phone and peruse the internet, learning

Huskies are notoriously picky.

personality and aren't a great

one in front of me, who

Yep, sounds about right.

Fact Three: I'm screwed.

before, but I

way her paw comes up to halt its process. She lets out a little rumble of noises, ending

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