Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 125 Ava: Negotiating the Invitation

The ominous text halts me in place, and Lisa peers over my shoulder.

"A candle?" she asks, confused.

Oh, right—I haven't spoken to her yet about my revelation of Sister Miriam's words at our parting. Only Selene knows.

Catching Lisa's eye, I give a quick shake of my head and slide the phone into my pocket. Kellan's in the distance, walking toward us.

Lisa, as quick-thinking as ever, grabs onto my arm again and returns to her ruminations about the party. By the time the beta's near us, his face is thunderclouds and lightning.

"No way," he announces, before Lisa can even say anything.

Undeterred, Lisa stands straight, toe-to-toe with him in a way I see far too often. These two will never get along. "I'm not asking, Beta Ashbourne. I'm informing you. Friday will be busy. We're going to a party."

"Absolutely not."

"Stop treating us like prisoners!"

"You aren't prisoners," he refutes immediately. "We're doing our best to keep you safe. A party? That's not safe."

"'That's not safe,'" she mimics, rolling her eyes. "So, what, we're going to be stuck in my apartment forever? We can't live at all? Can't do anything? Because to me, it sounds like you're saying Westwood is a bunch of weak-ass wolves who can't protect two little girls in their own territory."

She's a spitfire, Selene approves, back in my head again. Her marathon must be over.

in a way that I see far too often these days, and he gives up arguing with

before he can continue is the best way. While I'm doing better at standing up for myself, I'm not great at arguing when they bring up good points, like how unnecessary a party

that I can't live like this forever, and things

than being home. At least I

that familiar feel of guilt to

Selene says, her voice in my mind soft and soothing. You are not wrong in the words you speak. Do not walk them back. It's okay

hug her with gratitude. But she's not, so I settle for sending her my intense feelings

hand down his face. "Lucas is going to kill me," he mutters under his

floods through me. "He

the alpha's mate," Kellan

sandpaper. "I'm not his mate, Kellan. How

at me, exasperated. "Denial only

clear. I clench my jaw, standing my ground.

Ava. Not 'Lucas's mate.' I'm more than just

was my father and my pack, dictating my every

other consideration. Someone who isn't judged

in my mind, her presence a comforting warmth. Stand

I meet Kellan's gaze head-on, refusing

Kellan holds up his hands in surrender. "Fine, fine. I'm trusting you to back

I'm right. He knows I'm more than

the words, doubt curls in my stomach. Lucas and I are complicated. We're fated mates with an awkward history. The bond between us is undeniable, a living,