Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 25 Ava: A Familiar Scent

Selene growls, pacing as she sniffs every corner of the room. Her hackles are stiff. Even though she's just a dog right now, it's still intimidating.

That bastard was here, Selene confirms, after sniffing around the bedroom. He won't harm you. Her lip curls back into a soft snarl. I can smell his regret with every step he took.

I collapse, my legs too weak to hold me up. That refreshed, revitalized feeling is gone. Only fear remains.

"What am I going to do? I can't stay here. If he found me, that means Dad can find me."

Perhaps. Selene stretches with a large yawn. I would not worry yet, cub. You are not as defenseless as you once were, and you cannot run forever.

"But—"

You cannot run forever, Selene repeats forcefully, and I fall silent, struggling against the panic fluttering against my ribcage. One day, you might have to fight back.

Fight back?

I'd never imagined fighting back.

How can a wolfless defect fight back?

couch after a few circles. You

will we do?" I ask

Just as you have been.

* * *

sigh and fall onto the couch cushions, trying to let Selene's words wash over me. Live.

cannot keep going as you have been, though. Your body is soft. Weak. You must strengthen

at my lips. "What do you

arm with her cold, wet nose. Exercise. Train your body as you would your mind.

at her. I'm not completely soft. I've had to learn to run. But to Selene, I'm

makes sense. I'm nothing compared to shifters. She wants me to get fit. To toughen up, build muscle, increase my stamina. A tremor of trepidation runs through

anyone from my pack—comes for me again, I need to be able to defend myself. My only chance

steel my resolve. "Okay.

week. I spin a

As long as you can have your work

"Thank you, Mrs. Elkins. I

grandmotherly smiles. "Not a problem, Ava. Just take

force a smile in return, her kindness lancing through

of basic calisthenics in the privacy of my small living room—push-ups, sit-ups, air squats, a hundred each. My muscles strain and burn with the unaccustomed exertion,