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.

sounds similar to the last words Sister Miriam said

concern flashing across her face. "Okay,

underestimate a vampire,

she told me to light a candle and say her name, and

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

don't know. Creepy text aside, I don't feel like she's out to harm

to harm you, she wouldn't have sent a text message. Selene perks her head up from her spot on the couch. It sounds like she has information she wants to share with

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

But vampires are not inherently evil,

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

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

kidnapped again? Get turned

really think your luck is so bad that you'd be kidnapped again? There has to

"Okay, what about dying?"

our conversation, so I take another

she watches me eat. "I know I complain about them being overprotective, but if she's going to be a danger to your

she wants to talk to me about my weird existence and possibly my powers that shouldn't exist?"

"He probably won't care."

bad enough; all the 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

don't think that's a great start to a long-term relationship. You

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

probably unhealthy. But, Lise, I still don't know if this is going to work between

arch. "Do you

"No."

"Does he hate you?"

"No."

"Has he apologized?"

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

I love you. And you know I hate this whole overprotective, guards-everywhere-you-look bullshit. But I don't think pushing Lucas away is what's

don't know." Shifting in my seat, I try

her head. "Nope. We aren't avoiding