Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 17 Ava: Settling In

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

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The men at the door look related. So related that I'd bet they're twins.

"Hi," the one on the left says, with a charming smile. They have close-cropped brown hair and twinkling brown eyes, with popular kid in high school written all over them. They have to be in their mid-twenties now, though.

"Hi," I respond, with some suspicion. Is this that legendary thing called solicitation? Are they here to sell me something?

If so, they're screwed. Selene got to my wallet first.

"Mrs. Elkins sent us," the guy on the right says, and I turn my gaze to him, relaxing a little.

"Oh?" Mrs. Elkins wouldn't just send someone without warning me.

Checking my phone, I see a missed text.

[MRS. ELKINS: Don't forget that Ben and Franklin are coming to help put up some shelves in the living room. You can send them away if you're not up to it.]

Oh, right. I vaguely recall some conversation like that last week. Probably something I should have added to my phone so I wouldn't be surprised at a time like this.

I say, glancing back

identical, though one's a little more burly and the other wears glasses. "I'm Ben," the

He has a wedding

Ah, they're family.

to invite them in. Selene gives them both a quick once-over,

bit of a couch

the remote. I can see how that's amusing; the idea of a dog who watches TV would make

to that lightly flirtatious laugh or the interested glances he sends my way. He's just a

Alphahole Lucas Westwood has ruined

through a few of

at least fifteen boxes of books, and—as it turns out—I don't feel like

gets rid of

well-worn. Others are brand new, probably old overstock for the

he assesses the living room walls. "Alright, so if we put the tall shelves against this wall,

works for me. I'm not picky, as long as

any accidents." He flashes me a friendly smile, but it lacks the flirtatious

It's a daunting task, but there's something satisfying about handling

sorting. Selene dozes on

considering the fever still simmers under my skin. But there's a buzzing in my