Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 73 Ava: Final Countdown

There's nothing to pack. The few clothes I have are courtesy of Mom shopping for me, and I have no interest in keeping them when I leave.

I'll go with a ripped pair of jeans and a shirt that I took scissors to, cutting off its holey hem until it looks tattered on purpose instead of because it's been washed too many times.

The only shoes I have are the heels I wore when they brought me home. Those, I put in a backpack Phoenix gave me from his old school days. Despite a decade of sitting in our attic, it smells like marijuana mixed with the cedar our home is built with.

Big brother was a bit of a rebel, I guess.

I have a pair of sneakers that are a half-size too small. I'll have some blisters, but I can buy a new pair somewhere. It'll be easier to run in them than heels.

The burner phone stares at me from its position on my desk. I know without a doubt that it has a tracer on it. I still have no idea if the phone Clayton gave me was tampered with; I know I had a level of paranoia that bordered on ridiculous during my stay with the Aspen wolves. But this phone?

I'm not paranoid.

Phoenix has decided that it's better to wipe my existence from memory than keep me as a hesitant ally.

So stupid, to ever think our interests could align.

I consider reaching out to Lisa, but I don't want Phoenix or his goons to get to her.

What if my desperate attempt to seek solace from Lisa only leads them straight to her doorstep, putting her in harm's way?

No way.

Lisa's safety. She's too precious. I won't be the one to

ostensibly to the airport, tonight. I have to figure out another plan before then. So far,

there's a tracker on my phone, there's a good chance that he

insurance in case I escape

straight around all the possibilities. Paranoia has me in a chokehold I can't escape, no matter how much I try to

to steal some, but from who? Mom and Dad are out. Jessa's out. Phoenix isn't here yet. Only

try overpowering them, but it's a fool's dream to think I could take three

the only way out I can think of, but there has to be something else. Anything

But there's nothing.

can hear the sounds of my family returning home, one by one. Dad's heavy, thudding footsteps. Mom's stilettos clicking against the floor. The way Jessa's truck roars

down for dinner. None of them give a shit if I eat. The only reason I even cook is because if I don't, there won't be any meal for me from what Mom

kitchen. Laughter and conversation flows upstairs, the sounds of a happy family. Dad's

to the

who's never fit

in the silence of my room, listening in to a family who doesn't want me, only

hurts

I've developed a habit of fiddling with it.

a bit with the force of the motion. Despite the early evening hour of 6 pm, the summer sun still blazes bright, casting long shadows across the yard as I stare

settles in

If I die—

of leaving without saying goodbye tears at my