Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 49 Ava: Selene's Secret Vice

Selene's presence helped me sleep like the dead. Waking in the morning in a room outside of the hospital is nicer than I want to admit to Clayton, after trying to refuse this apartment.

Stretching languidly, I take a moment to bask in the luxury of the king-sized bed, reveling in the silky sheets caressing my skin. A contented sigh escapes my lips as I roll onto my side, only to find myself face-to-face with Selene's piercing blue gaze.

"Morning," I murmur, reaching out to scratch behind her ears.

Morning, pup. Her tail thumps against the mattress in greeting. Sleep well?

"Like a rock." I glance around the lavish bedroom, my eyes lingering on the plush armchairs positioned near the floor-to-ceiling windows. "It's going to take some getting used to, living in a place like this."

You deserve nice things, Ava. Selene nuzzles my hand. Although, I must admit, I miss the simplicity of your old apartment.

Is it possible to feel nostalgia after only a week away? Because I do.

"Me too. We won't be able to go back for a little while, right?"

Selene's ears flatten against her head. Not until the alpha sends you home.

Pushing aside the melancholy, I swing my legs over the edge of the bed and stretch again, relishing the freedom of movement. No sore back or hips, and no tense neck after sleeping on near-flat pillows. "So, what's on the agenda for today?"

Selene hops off the bed and trots toward the door. Well, you don't have a job to go to anymore, so I suppose you could be a couch potato for once.

I can't help but laugh at the mental image. "A couch potato? Really?"

me with a wolfish grin. There's a new shifter romance show that just

the bedroom and into the spacious living area. "A shifter romance show? Somehow, I

making herself comfortable. You'd be surprised. From

tone. "Steamy, huh? I'm not sure I want to watch something like

me a pointed look. After everything we've been through

my head in amusement, I join her on the couch, tucking my feet beneath me.

the large flatscreen flickers to life, and the opening credits of "Fated Mates" fill

let's see what kind of steamy

the screen. This show is going to make you

have one. He didn't want me. I don't think our

fated mate doesn't count when they're too stupid to appreciate what's right in

surprised laugh escapes my lips. Trust Selene to put

sharp knock echoes through the apartment, causing us both to turn our heads toward the sound. Frowning, I rise from the couch and make my way to

I pull it open, I'm surprised to find Ivy standing on the other side, her

sure how to greet her, so I just say, "Hello," and

assessing my appearance with a critical eye, unimpressed by my pajamas. An impatient expression crosses her features as she arches a perfectly groomed

invite me in, or shall we conduct

leaves no room for argument, and I hurry to step aside,

the couch, drawing Ivy's attention. Surprise flickers across her face when

did you get that dog?" Ivy asks, her

"She's just a stray who showed up one day. Ran away from

as if she's agreeing with my explanation. Ivy, however,

studies Selene, who simply stares back