Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 124 Ava: Surprise Invitation

Easier said than done. But I try to clear my head, to let my body take over. Slipping to the side, I evade a vicious right hook. There—an opening. It's classic and obvious and it might be a trap, but I dart forward, inside his reach, and drive my elbow into his solar plexus.

He grunts, doubling over. Not letting up, I grab his arm and pivot, using his own momentum to flip him over my hip. He hits the mat hard, the breath knocked out of him.

For a second, I just stand there, stunned. Holy shit, did I actually just do that? A slow grin spreads across my face.

"Good!" Amara calls out. "That's enough for now."

We break apart, both of us panting and sweaty. I glance over at my opponent, expecting to see grudging respect or even surprise. Instead, fury contorts his face, his eyes flashing with barely contained rage.

A chill runs through me. Did I just make an enemy? Anxiety claws at my throat; I know what it means to have a pack who detests me. Even with the guards Lucas has me under, I have no faith that I'm safe if I'm hated by everyone in Westwood.

I know what happens in the shadows.

Before I can smooth things over, the shifter—I think his name might be Ben or something—bows, his expression smoothing into polite neutrality. "Thank you for the match," he says stiffly. Then he turns on his heel and stalks away, leaving me staring after him in confusion.

Did I imagine that look? I replay the moment in my head, trying to pinpoint what I saw. But with each passing second, I grow less certain. Maybe it was just the heat of the fight, the sting of being bested. Surely he doesn't actually hate me for throwing him once... right?

You did well, Selene says, her voice warm with approval. Don't let one surly pup shake your confidence.

Shaking off my worries, I take a deep breath, trying to ignore the throbbing in my jaw. It reaches deep into my ear. My ribs ache every time I breathe, but I fill my lungs anyway, before consciously relaxing my body, one muscle group at a time.

Selene's right. I can't control how others react to me. I'm here to train. If they want to hate me, there's little I can do about that.

I just have to keep training. Improving. I'm going to get bruised, but eventually, I'll be able to give back as much as I get.

showers, I can't quite shake the unease prickling down my neck, making me shiver beneath the sweat cooling on

as I'm concerned—a specialty of hers. "I threw a girl called Anneliese today. She told me I'm not bad,

familiar hug. Pain lances through my side, stealing my breath for a moment. I grit my teeth, waiting for the

mistake. She quickly withdraws her arm from mine, looking sheepish. "You

up with effort. The bruises throb in

undimmed. "I'm sore as hell, but it's getting better. I think they went a

only half-joking. My

I find myself smiling back at her, the knot in my chest loosening a bit. It's a relief to see her spirits lifting again after the brutal introduction

sparkling with sudden excitement. "Guess what? We got invited

Skepticism colors my tone. After the chilly

smack against my injuries. "Chloe invited us. She

eyes, black hair, and a perfect nose. I turn red when I sweat;

kind of setup? My experience with my birth pack

her face open and guileless. She's been through a lot because of me... maybe a party wouldn't be the worst thing. A chance to feel normal for a night, to forget about the threats lurking in the

to let us

I ask, throwing concern to the abyss. We have Kellan and multiple

We could both use a break from

think it's time for that to change. It'll be good for both of

breathe between sessions. As much as I'd love to be stronger,

my mind, her tone encouraging. You've earned a night of fun. I'll keep watch,

have my back, even if I can't fully trust

I agree, mustering a smile for Lisa. "Let's do it. Party

squeal, squeezing my arm. "Yes! This is going to be amazing, Ava.

the showers, chattering about what we might wear and what to expect. For