Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 47 Ava: The Apartment

The apartment Clayton talked about is in the middle of the city, in a high-rise that towers above every other building in the area. It reeks of money.

I follow Clayton through the opulent lobby, cringing as my sneakers squeak against the polished marble floor. I don't belong here, in this sleek, luxury-through-minimalism space.

Two large men in crisp suits stand by the entrance, their eyes following our every move.

"Guards?" I murmur to Clayton, trying to keep my voice casual despite the unease prickling up my spine.

He nods once, ushering me towards the elevators. "For the human residents, yes. We aim to avoid any incidents between humans and shifters."

My eyebrows lift at that, and I risk a sidelong glance at him as we step into the empty elevator car. "Incidents happen often around here?"

Clayton's expression darkens momentarily as he hits the button for the top floor. "Not often," he allows. "But no pack is immune. There are always hotheads who lack control, rogues who seek chaos. We have to take precautions."

I absorb that silently, my mind whirling. It was not infrequent to hear my father complaining about young idiots who wandered into the human territory and harmed or killed humans. The Blackwood Pack didn't treat humans well. It's different here.

I've seen the differences firsthand, but I still didn't expect humans and shifters to live in the same building.

The top floor is exclusive. You can see it at first glance; there are only two doors, despite the long hallway. There should be plenty of room for other apartments, yet there aren't any.

his hand a warm weight against the small of my back. I tense at his touch, my

unlocking the

apartment is stunning. There are huge windows all along the back of the apartment. It has an open floor plan, bringing in all the natural light, and even with the furniture that Clayton has provided, I could easily go bowling in the free space.

taking in the high ceilings, the modern furnishings, the state-of-the-art kitchen tucked into an

murmur despite

watching me closely. There's a glint of something like pride in his eyes as he surveys my reaction. "I had it outfitted with

making such personal arrangements for me. "It's very nice," I

presence suddenly overwhelming. "We've been over this. For now, you

sense of independence that has kept me going all these years flaring to life. "I don't need your protection," I argue, lifting my chin to meet his piercing gaze. "I was doing just fine on

Clayton cuts me off, his tone laced with a sharp edge. "Before you went into a heat so potent that even an alpha as disciplined as myself was rendered powerless

unfurling low in my belly. Clayton holds my stare,

may think you have everything under control," he continues in a low rumble. "But the truth is, you're a rare thing in our world, Ava. An omega with immense power that you don't fully understand yet. You

open my mouth to protest, but Selene's

for now, at least until we can

"Fine. I'll stay here for now."

won't be

I'm wearing some

nothing," he says, as if that's all the explanation that's needed. "The fridge is also stocked, but I'm not sure if