Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 123 Ava: New Shifters

Lisa and I share a look before following Amara further into the gym. I can feel the eyes of the other shifters tracking our every move. Unease has my heart beating in rapid rhythm, like a frantic chicken flapping its wings. All the excitement I'd felt at meeting new people is now buried beneath the worries dashing through my mind.

Do they hate me?

Is their disapproval because I'm a Blackwood wolf?

Do they know I can't shift?

Have there been complaints about me?

What have they been saying?

But, of course, I don't have the answers, so I follow behind with my mouth shut.

It will be fine, Selene assures me, but she's very unconcerned about the thoughts of humans or shifters. In fact, I'm not sure she cares about anyone other than me. She isn't even fond of our fated mate.

Selene snorts. Fated doesn't mean inevitable.

Once we reach the mats, Amara turns to face us, her stance relaxed but ready. It's hard not to focus on the lean muscles defined in her arms. I'd thought I was making improvement with my training, but compared to her? I look like a newborn baby, soft and squishy.

"Let's start with some basic defensive moves and see where you're at."

Amara launches into an explanation of a simple block and counter, demonstrating the moves with fluid grace. I focus on her words, trying to commit the steps to memory.

Then it's our turn to try. Lisa goes first, her face set in concentration as she attempts to mirror Amara's movements. It's a little clumsy, but she executes the block successfully.

"Good," Amara praises. "Remember to keep your weight centered and your arm firm."

praise. Jericho snorts, but by some miracle

step up next, taking a deep breath to center myself. Amara nods

solid, my stance steady. Amara's eyebrows raise slightly, a hint of surprise flickering

says. "You've clearly been practicing. Next time, commit to the movement. You're hesitant, and

surges through me as I glance toward Jericho, who watches me in continued silence. Maybe I'm not as far behind as I feared? Maybe I can hold my own here

us new moves and critiquing our form. It's challenging, sweat dripping down my back as I push myself harder, striving to perfect each technique. I have to repeat them multiple times,

her determination making up for any shortcomings. She gets me

and how I woke up from a three-week long

for a break, my muscles are burning and my lungs heaving. But beneath

Even Lisa, who's usually dead after a long day of training, bounces

spine. Glancing up, I find several of the male shifters watching me with interest. It makes me want to squirm, their gazes

chatters excitedly about everything we've learned. Her enthusiasm

* * *

day was a

and over the next five days, we're brutalized and beaten to the mat. Lisa isn't smiling anymore, and I no longer feel pride over my

she's trying to bully me out of Westwood. Instead, she's meticulous in explaining what she's teaching me

technically,

energy among the shifters, in their eyes and the

Selene opines, sounding

watching your trashy TV show

is very entertaining. Humans know

Amara shouts, and I drag my

this morning. He's

I'm lacking.

think of me

they think. They are all beneath you. Selene's natural arrogance is probably because of her Lycan soul; I don't