Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 128 Ava: A Frank Discussion

"Flutters from here to here?" Lisa motions with her hand, encompassing her entire abdomen up to just beneath her breasts.

I nod.

"And your face tingles from the sound of his voice?"

I nod again.

"Things sound sexual even when they're not?"

I blush.

"Yes. You've officially moved into flirtation territory." Lisa picks her burger up, taking a huge bite with a groan of appreciation. After swallowing, she points it in my general direction. "Congratulations. This is your first crush."

"Not my first crush," I murmur. There had been a few kids in class… Kids who weren't mean or cruel, and who didn't laugh at me.

But they always ended up with other girls. We barely exchanged hellos, and I'd dreamed up scenarios between us. Of me leaving my pack to live a human life, of giving up my wolf heritage.

Silly daydreams.

"First real one, then," she amends.

He's trying, Selene admits, her begrudging tone making me laugh.

I'm not sure if she'll ever approve of him.

I take a bite of my burger, savoring the juicy flavor as I chew. The quiet peace of the apartment wraps around us, comforting and sweet. No hovering Kellan, no constant surveillance... Just blessed solitude, broken only by the crinkling of wrappers and Lisa's soft chewing across from me.

Kellan must have gotten orders from Lucas to give us more space. He dropped off our food earlier with barely a word before heading out to handle important beta duties. I'm not complaining. Having the apartment to ourselves is a rare luxury.

As I swallow another mouthful, Lisa's voice breaks into my thoughts. "So, what was up with that bizarre text you got yesterday?"

I pause mid-chew, the reminder sending a chill down my spine. The message had been so unsettling. And then it had just vanished. Like it never existed.

shake my head slowly. "I don't know. It sounds

her burger down, concern flashing across her face. "Okay,

underestimate a vampire, Selene

to light a candle and say her name, and she'll find me. I

you about the candle." Lisa bites her lip. "How concerned should we

I don't feel like she's out to harm

wanted to harm you, she wouldn't have sent a text message. Selene perks her head up from her spot on the

know if it's a good idea to open that can

But vampires are not inherently evil, as you

Selene's thoughts to Lisa, who pokes

out

kidnapped again? Get turned into a

that you'd be kidnapped again? There

"Okay, what about dying?"

the contents of our conversation, so I take another bite of my burger. I've been starving lately, probably due to all

Lisa asks, resting her cheek in her hand as she watches me eat. "I know I complain about them

wants to talk to me about my weird existence and possibly my powers that shouldn't exist?" I shake my head. "No, I'm not ready for that. I don't know how Lucas

"He probably won't care."

shifter is bad enough; all the stares and whispers get to me, no matter how much I try to

relationship. You should be able to

as slowly as I possibly can. She stares, unblinking, in my

with a sigh. "Okay. Yes. It's probably unhealthy. But, Lise, I still don't know if this

brows arch. "Do you

"No."

"Does he hate you?"

"No."

"Has he apologized?"

lips. "But I'm not sure if you can call breaking and entering

whole overprotective, guards-everywhere-you-look bullshit. But I don't think pushing Lucas

know." Shifting in my seat, I try to take

her