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.

It sounds similar to the last words

concern flashing across her face. "Okay, that's creepy. Explain

underestimate a

name, and she'll find me. I didn't think too much of it at

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

don't know. Creepy text aside, I don't feel

she wouldn't have sent a text message. Selene perks her head up from her spot on the couch. It sounds like she has

don't know if it's a good idea to open

not. But vampires are not inherently

relay Selene's thoughts to Lisa, who pokes at her

should try to reach out to her. What's the worst

Get turned into a

points, but do you really think your luck is so bad that you'd be kidnapped

"Okay, what about dying?"

diminished by the contents of our conversation, so I take another

Lucas and Kellan about Sister Miriam?" Lisa asks, resting her cheek in her hand as she watches me

them? That she 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

"He probably won't care."

stares and whispers get to me, no matter how much I try to shrug them off. "We aren't mated yet. I won't throw all my baggage on him. He's already dealing

long-term relationship. You should be

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

unhealthy.

brows arch. "Do you hate

"No."

"Does he hate you?"

"No."

"Has he apologized?"

Cedarwood for a moment, a faint smile twitching my lips. "But I'm not sure if

know I love you. And you know I hate this whole overprotective, guards-everywhere-you-look bullshit. But I

Shifting in my seat, I

yanks my plate away, shaking her head. "Nope. We aren't