Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 48 Ava: No Great Destiny

Selene's warm, furry body is a balm to my soul as we cuddle in on the sofa, a random show playing in the background. My eyes drift to the new phone sitting on the nightstand.

Is it safe to use? Could Clayton or someone else have hacked into it, using it as a way to track my every move? A shiver runs down my spine at the thought.

Selene stirs beside me, her head lifting as she blinks in the dimness. Her piercing blue eyes find mine, and I feel the gentle brush of her consciousness against my own.

You're being paranoid again, she murmurs, her mental voice a soft caress against my frazzled thoughts.

"Can you blame me?" My voice comes out in a whisper "After everything that's happened, I don't want to take any risks that could turn my life upside down again. I just don't know how far I can trust Clayton."

I know, pup. Selene nuzzles my cheek with affection. But driving yourself mad with worry isn't the answer either. We'll be cautious, but we can't live in fear.

I swallow hard, wishing I could just turn off the constant stream of anxious thoughts whirring through my brain. "I just finally felt like I had a handle on things. And now..."

Now everything has been ripped away from me once more.

It isn't over, Selene points out, ever the voice of reason. Hugging her as she crawls into my lap, I sigh.

"I feel like something's going to happen," I admit, reaching up to touch the necklace that's once again around my neck. Selene nudges it with her nose.

Everything will be okay. Don't be so quick to assume the worst of that alpha.

Rubbing her ears helps calm down the anxiety fluttering in my belly, and Selene rolls over in bliss at the attention. We've missed each other terribly this past week.

"It just worries me. All this stuff, the care he's taking—it makes me feel like he's decided I'm his mate, and he's just waiting for me to accept it and follow along like a good little she-wolf." Her fur is soft against my cheek as I rub my head against hers. "I don't want that kind of life."

I know.

The weight of the world is on my shoulders, it feels. Sighing, I snuggle even closer to Selene's warmth, taking what comfort I can get. "What about my heat. Am I going to go through that again?"

him even more ideas about our relationship. But if I'm not anywhere near him, and some other strong

another heat with a stranger sends a shudder down my

hesitates, her mental voice tinged with a seriousness that immediately puts me on edge. It should

crystal pendant again, its comforting weight reassuring me of its presence.

before resettling against me. The necklace acts as a dampener. As long as you're wearing it, you should maintain control

rolling the information over in my mind. "Why did I go into heat as soon as I didn't have it

was forcefully suppressed. It burst out as soon as it had a chance. The ring acts as a shield for your power. Others can't sense it, and

I'm not

Yes.

my other hand, marveling at the magic it seems to contain. So much

if I don't wear them?" I ask cautiously, almost afraid of

occur every month, each one stronger than the last, until you find someone strong enough

enough to freak

heard his name before; he's well-regarded in

enough

have no answer

"Lucas?"

fated, but that doesn't mean the

and I have to fight the urge to touch them. "I won't take them off again," I vow, my voice trembling. "I can't go

this out together, one step at a time. You're not alone in

the ring, I try to think through everything

is a lie. We're all cursed, and wolf shifters actually have two souls in our bodies, stealing the souls of

I'm somehow… different?

still don't understand how

You are born,

I have the power of ancient magicians, but if I use it I'll

did you choose me,