Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 122 Ava: Getting Stronger

"Don't push yourself too hard."

Lucas' voice is deeper through the phone, giving our hushed conversation in my bedroom a more sordid feeling than would be expected, given the fact that we haven't talked about anything remotely intimate.

That fated-mate tingle settles into my nether regions as he speaks. Lisa's asleep, and Kellan is, too, taking over the couch in the living room like he does every night.

"I'm not." Trying not to wake the others, I speak in a soft murmur.

"I miss you." He sounds frustrated. Tired.

Kellan said he's been trying to track down my family. I hope he finds them soon; I just want everything to be over. Having guards everywhere I go is awful.

I have yet to meet anyone new. No friends. Not even acquaintances. I don't even get to buy things at the store, because someone is always sent to buy what I ask for.

It's suffocating.

"Have you made any progress?"

"Mmm." His noncommital sound gives little hope. "I will find them, Ava. You will be safe."

"I know."

"Get some sleep. It's late."

"I will." A yawn catches me by surprise, my jaw cracking with the force of it.

"Good night, Ava."

"Good night, Lucas."

* * *

no ill effects. My muscles are toned, what little excess flab I had around my belly is gone, and

I've magically gained an ability

be

Kellan's constant presence, and Lucas coming and going

the fated bond within me disagrees vociferously. It yearns for him in a way that hurts almost more than

Lucas, though she's avoided open hostility. It's an improvement. I can understand, though. She, too, is frustrated by this

that Lisa and I join a training group of

refusal

you," Jericho snaps, turning back to me.

in her voice earning her a dark glower

but I

saying what she wants to say, and you're not." Getting between them is pointless; it just goes round and round. Jericho watches me with

be helpful to train with a variety of people. I would even venture to say that it's ultimately for my

a grimace that passes for a

triumph to my side, grabbing my arm in a

along," he grunts. "They're

doesn't sound like a fun time, but Lisa and I follow with excitement. It's our first

and I recognize it as the place we train during rainy days. It's filled with at least twenty young shifters, almost all men, all sparring on the mats. Lisa clings to my arm,

be odd, as a born-human, to be surrounded by a bunch

the others turn and bow after she does, with the same motion.