Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 96 Ava: Life in Westwood (I)

Lucas still calls me every night, but Lisa had helped encourage me to text him yesterday, asking for space, at least until he returns to Westwood.

I'm sure he gets hourly reports from all my guards, but at least I don't have to worry about playing nice when I'm starting to feel resentful and frustrated, despite knowing I should be grateful for being saved.

I'm grateful to him for a lot. Having guards around should be a small price for all of this. It's just hard.

"Welcome home!" Lisa exclaims as she flings open the door to her new apartment.

When Lisa said that Lucas had settled her into an apartment, I'd expected something… I don't know.

Normal?

This is far from normal.

The luxurious living room has been decorated in some sort of eclectic, artistic mix of boho wall decor and minimalist furniture, leaving bright, wide open spaces with bright splashes of color and texture on the walls. Floor-to-ceiling windows flood the space with natural light, framed by curtains I'm afraid to even touch. How can curtains look so expensive?

A sleek kitchen gleams in the corner, all stainless steel appliances and marble countertops, with white cabinets that are going to be a terrible experience to keep clean. It's like the entire apartment was made with maid service in mind.

"Wow," I breathe, running my fingers along the back of the luxurious leather couch. "Lucas really went all out, didn't he?"

But they don't hear me, because—well, they're still arguing.

rises, competing with the clatter of her heels against the hardwood as she storms after Kellan. "We don't need a guard

response, focusing instead on the sprawling cityscape beyond the glass. Skyscrapers pierce the sky, glinting in the afternoon sun. Cars crawl along the streets below, tiny and insignificant from this height. People

It's busy.

from Cedarwood. From the Novel Grind and its cozy charm. From the little apartment

From Selene.

of her. It's been so long since I've heard her voice in my head, felt her presence curled around my mind like a contented cat. I keep reaching for her, hoping to brush against the familiar warmth of

it meant Selene was getting closer, that she'd found a way to reach me despite the distance. But as the

to her? What if she's hurt, or worse? The thought makes my stomach twist, bile rising in my throat. I can't lose her. She's a

against the cool glass, squeezing my eyes shut as if I can will her into existence through

just the muted sounds of the city and Lisa's

to dictate every aspect of our lives!" Lisa's voice cracks like a whip, jolting me

carries. "Lisa, I understand your frustration. But Ava's safety is our top priority. We can't take any chances. Not all the Blackwoods are accounted for, and there's a good

mention of my former pack has me shuddering. Thinking of Mom and Dad makes me want to vomit, but it's the memories of Todd's attack that flash behind my eyelids. The phantom pain of his claws raking across my

think about that odious little shit again,

kicking me when I was already curled up on the floor, hands over my head, waiting for the torment of my pack members to end.

work at my jaw, fighting against the wave

back. And I won't let anyone make me feel

it in a way that makes me almost want to shy away from the newly bloodthirsty urge

dying will change a lot