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.

of course, calculated to sting at the beta's pride. Kellan's jaw sets in a way that I see far too often these days, and he gives up arguing with Lisa to turn to me, instead. "With the situation

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

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

It's worse than being home. At least

that familiar feel

You are not wrong in the words you speak. Do not walk them back. It's okay to feel the

and hug her with gratitude. But she's not, so I

a hand down his face. "Lucas is going to kill me," he mutters under his breath, but I catch

"He has no reason

alpha's mate," Kellan

my nerves like sandpaper. "I'm not his

at me, exasperated. "Denial only

despite my own feelings not being clear. I clench my jaw,

'Lucas's mate.' I'm more than just an accessory to

never asked for. First, it was my father and my pack, dictating my every move. Now, it's Lucas and his pack, treating me

to be Ava. A me without any other consideration. Someone who isn't

says in my mind, her presence a comforting warmth. Stand up

me, straightening my spine. I meet Kellan's gaze head-on, refusing to back

surrender. "Fine, fine. I'm trusting you to back me up when

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

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, breathing