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

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

is solid, my stance steady. Amara's eyebrows raise slightly,

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

understand." Pride surges through me as I glance toward Jericho, who watches me in continued silence. Maybe I'm not as far behind as

for a while, Amara showing 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

shortcomings. She gets me down more often than not, but I can tell a difference in our strength. Jericho has said nothing about it—but I can

enhanced healing, and how I woke up from a three-week long coma no longer

are burning and my lungs heaving. But beneath the

it's exciting. Even Lisa, who's usually dead after a long day of training, bounces with more

runs along my spine. Glancing up, I find several of the male shifters watching me with interest. It makes me want to squirm, their gazes a little too intense

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

* * *

a fucking

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

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

there's just something, a subtle energy among the shifters,

jealous, Selene

you watching your trashy TV show

sense her tail swishing despite our distance. It is very entertaining. Humans know how to

Amara shouts, and I drag my

my opponent this morning. He's

I'm lacking.

knowing they think of me as their alpha's

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