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.

have no idea

Beef or chicken?" I muse aloud, grabbing a bright

dim. Her fluffy tail droops and she lets out a little whine. I blink, staring at her.

guess she can smell

But still.

my head, I grab the bag anyway. I'm probably just imagining things. It's been a weird day

eye out for the man in 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

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

I keep an eye on

be $110.67," the cashier

a hundred dollars?" I sputter, staring at the small pile of items in

"Yep. The dog food alone is $75.

a 30-pound

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

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

for a rideshare, staring down at my new moneysink, who returns my gaze with a loving one of her

* * *

Selene hates dog food.

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

on. The lady said it's a good

I didn't think to buy one for the dog—and she turns her head

I hadn't expected

do when your stray

my phone and peruse the internet, learning a few

are

personality and aren't a great

front of me, who nudges the bowl closer to

Yep, sounds about right.

Fact Three: I'm screwed.

before, but I know one thing. You have

her paw comes up to halt its

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