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."

Jericho snorts, but by some miracle manages to keep himself from saying

a deep breath to center myself.

in. The block is solid, my stance steady. Amara's eyebrows raise slightly, a hint of surprise flickering across her

practicing. Next time, commit to the movement. You're hesitant, and hesitation

silence. Maybe I'm not as

as I push myself harder, striving to perfect each technique. I have to repeat them multiple times, and despite her initial reticence, Amara proves

each other, putting our new skills to the test. Lisa is a quick learner, her determination making up for any shortcomings. She gets me down more

Like my enhanced healing, and how I woke up from a three-week long

muscles are burning and my lungs heaving.

progress, and it's exciting. Even Lisa, who's usually dead after a long day of

the male shifters watching me with interest. It makes me want to squirm, their

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

* * *

day was a fucking bait and

and beaten to the mat. Lisa isn't smiling anymore,

trying to bully me out of Westwood. Instead, she's

nothing, technically, to complain

energy among the shifters,

jealous, Selene opines, sounding

watching your

very entertaining. Humans know how

Amara shouts, and I drag my head back to the situation at

cocky swagger, is my opponent this morning.

I'm lacking.

of me as their alpha's mate.

Selene's natural arrogance is probably because of her Lycan