Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 27 Ava: Watched

I step into my apartment, muscles aching from another grueling self-defense session with Kyle. Despite the pain, I can feel myself getting stronger.

A heavy sigh escapes my lips as I kick off my shoes, relishing the feeling of being home, safe within these walls. Selene's thoughts brush against my consciousness, a comforting feeling after an awful day, as she pads over to the couch to take a nap.

You did well today. You're progressing rapidly, as I knew you would.

I nod, offering a weary smile. "Thanks. I feel like a truck hit me, but in a good way, you know?"

A low chuckle reverberates through our bond. Rest, my human. You've earned it.

Peeling off my sweat-drenched clothes, I make my way to the bathroom, the promise of a hot shower beckoning me. As the water cascades over my aching muscles, I allow my mind to drift, replaying the events of the day.

And inevitably, my thoughts turn to him.

Lucas.

Just the mere thought of his name sends a shiver down my spine, a heady mixture of longing and resentment coiling deep within me. I can still see the intensity in his golden eyes, the way his gaze seemed to strip me bare.

Unbidden, my body responds to the memory, a traitorous flush creeping up my neck as desire unfurls in my core. I curse inwardly, hating the way he still has this effect on me, even after everything that transpired between us.

a cool balm against the raging inferno of my emotions. He threw you away like trash, she growls. It does him no good to come around now, begging for

within me. She's right, of course. Lucas had his chance, and he squandered it, crushing my heart beneath the heel of his contempt. The pain of

"Believe me, I haven't forgotten." And yet,

him in just because the bond tries to call you, she finally says. You are worth more than the demands of a

I push him from my mind. He hasn't done anything to me in weeks, if you don't count breaking into my apartment when

isn't dangerous. Well—not that kind of

I need

* * *

week passes in an

on my apartment door. It only says, "I'm so

he looks me in the eyes and says, "I'm sorry. I don't need you to answer me; I just need

he takes his

doesn't sit there watching me for hours, like the

It's bizarre.

time she sees him. I'm grateful that Lucas has yet to realize she's anything

Granted, he's broken in to leave it

going to complain if that's all he's doing.

came home to dinner, though Selene announced that she was not eating out of that bag

it to