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

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

as she loops our limbs together in a familiar hug. Pain lances through my side, stealing

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

bruises throb in protest, but I ignore them. "How about you? Hanging in

hell, but it's getting better. I think they went a little easier on me today—only a couple new bruises to add

half-joking. My whole body

my chest loosening a bit. It's a relief to

toes, eyes sparkling with sudden excitement. "Guess what?

party? Us?" Skepticism colors my tone. After the chilly reception from

smack against my injuries. "Chloe invited us. She said it's

nose. I turn red when I sweat; she does that whole glistening thing,

hesitate, doubt niggling at me. Is this a genuine olive branch, or some kind of setup? My experience with my birth pack has made

Lisa looks so hopeful, 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

can convince Kellan to

is it?" I ask, throwing concern to the abyss. We

from all this craziness, don't you

for that to change. It'll be

as I'd love to be stronger, I'm not sure how many more bruises I can take before

You've earned a

my back, even if I can't fully trust

smile for Lisa. "Let's do

a delighted squeal, squeezing my arm. "Yes! This is going to

showers, chattering about what we might wear and what to expect. For a moment, the weight of my worries lifts, pushed aside by the simple pleasure of making plans with a