Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 21 Ava: Paranoia and Secrets (II)

[LISA BURNER: Your brother's looking for you. I think he believes me that I don't know anything, but I'm not sure. I'm deleting everything off this phone just in case. I have a bad feeling about this]

[AVA: Be careful. It might be better if we don't talk for a few weeks. I just heard two shifters talking earlier today; it looks like they're finally searching.]

[LISA BURNER: I love you, Ave. I'm worried. Have I been watching too many crime documentaries? Anyway, I'll text you when it's safer.]

I clutch my phone in fear, the plastic case digging into my palm as I rush out of the lecture hall. My heart pounds with a frantic rhythm, echoing the chaos in my mind. The two shifters' words replay in an endless loop, fueling the fear that coils tighter with each passing second.

Escape. I need to escape.

I weave through the throngs of students, desperate to put as much distance between myself and those who might be searching for me. The world around me blurs into a kaleidoscope of colors and faces, each one a potential threat. I can't shake the feeling that eyes are watching my every move, that danger lurks in every shadow.

The bus stop offers a brief respite, and I collapse onto the bench, gasping for air. My eyes dart back and forth, scanning the crowd for any sign of pursuit. The minutes crawl by, each one amplifying the tension coiled within me.

urgency, clutching my bag close to my chest. As it lurches forward, I sink into

telltale signs that might give away their true nature. But

the bus finally reaches my stop, I practically leap from my seat. Relief washes over me as I spot Selene waiting patiently, her bright blue eyes a beacon

trots over to me, her tail wagging, and for a moment, the weight on my shoulders eases. Together, we hurry

as sobs wrack my body. Fear, frustration, and a deep sense of isolation crash over me in waves, threatening to drown me in

her warmth a comforting presence in the midst of my turmoil. I cling to her, my fingers tangling in her soft fur, drawing strength

emotions that have been building within me. I cry for the life I've lost, for the family that has

* * *

cheek pressed against my knees as the last vestiges of a nightmare cling to the edges of my consciousness. Disoriented, I blink away the haze of sleep, taking in the familiar surroundings of my apartment, lit only by

Selene, curled up at my feet, her piercing blue eyes regarding me with concern. A wave of affection washes over

to uncoil, my stomach rumbles, reminding me that I haven't eaten properly since breakfast. With a groan, I push myself up from the floor, my limbs protesting the prolonged period of

I murmur, offering Selene a weary smile as I make my way to the

welcome distraction from the turmoil that had consumed me earlier. I move through the motions with practiced ease, the sizzle of

spiraling into a panic. The fear that had gripped me so tightly begins to loosen its hold, replaced by a steely resolve. I cannot let the threat of discovery paralyze me; I won't go back. I am free now, and