Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 33 Ava: Selene's Return

Panic seizes me as I pat frantically at my neck, searching for the familiar weight of my necklace and finding only smooth skin.

Where is it? How could I have lost it?

Hurriedly, I retrace my steps, dripping water across the tile as I scour the bathroom. I get down on my hands and knees, peering under the sink and toilet, my heart pounding with rising dread. Nothing. It's not here.

Wrapping myself in a towel, I venture back into the main room, my gaze darting frantically about as I search for any sign of the missing crystal. I rifle through the sheets on the bed, tossing pillows aside as my desperation grows.

Not there.

I get the bright idea to check my pockets, but it isn't there either.

Shit.

Fuck.

I have no idea how big of a problem this is, but Selene had made it seem very important that it stay on me at all times.

I look out the window, wondering if I can convince someone to take me back to the scene of the accident to search for my necklace. Alpha Clayton seems nice, so maybe?

Selene must have had a good reason for insisting I keep the crystal on me. Both crystals. Now that I've lost one, what does it mean? Was it a protective charm? Am I no longer protected?

My steps falter as a new thread of panic works its way through me. If the necklace is that significant, does it mean I'm in danger now that I've lost it?

Selene will have answers when I find her again. She always does, cryptic as they might be. But right now, I'm panicking.

A soft rap at the door makes me jump, startled by the unexpected sound. I freeze mid-step, my heart rabbiting as the knob turns and the door eases open.

"Ms. Grey?" Nurse Jenna pokes her head inside. "I'm sorry to intrude, but I have a fresh set of clothes for you."

I clutch the towel tighter around myself. "Thank you. I just showered, so it's perfect timing."

change of clothes before showering. My brain's been defective since I got here; it's no wonder I didn't notice the necklace

the back, instead of gaping open. Nurse Jenna left a cup of water at my bedside and showed me

none of them can help me

try to relax in bed;

try to relax in the recliner they've

try to drink

the thought. I wouldn't be able to

something I should be used to, after years of it—but it's

Selene anymore, even when

It's wrong.

check all my vitals, and it takes a long time until I can fall asleep

a restless sleep replenishes your energy, and I wake at sunrise feeling ever-so-slightly refreshed and ready to

Well—maybe not the world.

ask Alpha Clayton if I can go back to

doesn't go well. Apparently, he's too busy to just be called down to the hospital because a

I'm nearly crawling out of my

* * *

Ava.

of orange jello in

have you

…can't…far…

her voice is ebbing and flowing in my mind. I'm sure she's saying so much more than I can hear, but the

me; all their wolves exist with them. I've never heard of a wolf that can

every inch of taut muscle as I lay back in my bed. My breath

Selene is close.

been running all night. I'm not sure how fast she can run, but

ask after

voice whispers, and I can feel tears in my

Aspen pack. Their alpha saved me last night. I quickly give a summary of events, feeling

Are you hurt?