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.

and I board with a sense of urgency, clutching my bag close to my chest. As it lurches forward, I sink into a seat near the back, my gaze fixed on the

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

I spot Selene waiting patiently, her

a moment, the weight on

I slide down against the door, burying my face in my hands as sobs wrack my body. Fear, frustration, and a deep sense of isolation crash over me in

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

freely, a release 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 me, for

* * *

edges of my consciousness. Disoriented, I blink away the haze of sleep, taking in the familiar surroundings of my apartment, lit only by moonlight peeking in through

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

my stomach rumbles, reminding me that I haven't eaten properly since breakfast. With a

offering Selene a weary smile as I make my way to

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

gripped me so tightly begins to loosen its hold, replaced by a steely resolve.