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.

my chest. As it lurches forward, I sink into a seat near the back, my gaze fixed on the window, searching

I study their faces, their mannerisms, looking for any telltale signs that might give away their

I spot Selene waiting patiently, her bright blue eyes a beacon of familiarity in a world that suddenly feels

I breathe, my voice trembling. She trots over to me, her tail wagging, and for a moment, the weight on my shoulders eases. Together, we hurry towards the safety of my

slide down against the door, burying my face in my hands as sobs wrack my body. Fear, frustration, and a deep

softly, nuzzling against my side, her warmth a comforting presence in the midst of my turmoil. I cling to her, my fingers tangling

of the pent-up emotions that have been building within me. I cry for the life I've lost, for the family that has turned their backs on

* * *

vestiges of a nightmare cling to the edges of my consciousness. Disoriented, I blink away the

concern. A wave of affection washes over me as I reach out to stroke her silky fur, her presence a constant reminder that

that I haven't eaten properly since breakfast.

time, girl," I murmur, offering Selene a weary

a welcome distraction from the turmoil that had consumed me earlier. I move through the motions with practiced ease, the sizzle of the pan and the aroma of sautéed vegetables filling the air with

work, my mind drifts back to the events of the day, replaying the hushed conversation that had sent me spiraling into a panic. The fear that had gripped me so tightly begins to loosen its hold, replaced by a steely