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 manages to keep himself from saying

taking a deep breath to center myself. Amara nods at me

memory from Jericho's training kicking in. The block is solid, my stance steady. Amara's eyebrows raise slightly, a hint of

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

surges through me as I glance toward Jericho, who watches me in continued silence. Maybe I'm

I push myself harder,

quick learner, her determination making up for any shortcomings. She gets me down more often than

stronger. This is beyond training, but something else. Like my enhanced healing, and how I woke up

a break, my muscles are burning and my lungs

and it's exciting. Even Lisa, who's usually dead after

I gulp down water, a prickle of awareness runs along my spine. Glancing up, I find several of the male shifters watching me with interest. It makes me want to

away, focusing on Lisa instead as she chatters excitedly about everything we've learned. Her enthusiasm is contagious, and I find myself smiling,

* * *

first day was a

tutelage, 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

me with more than mild curiosity and distance, I would be certain she's trying to bully me out of Westwood. Instead, she's meticulous in explaining what she's teaching me and what

nothing, technically, to complain

the shifters, in their eyes and the

are jealous, Selene

your trashy

is very entertaining. Humans know how to

shouts, and I drag my head back to the

shifters, a younger male with a cocky swagger, is my opponent this morning. He's one of the many who watch me from the sidelines, judging

I'm lacking.

me as their alpha's mate. Their

arrogance is probably because of her Lycan soul; I don't know how she