Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 134 Ava: The Party (V)

He seems nice, Selene says.

Yeah, he does. When we part so I can return to Lisa's side, he doesn't cling or say anything, just waves me off and wanders back into the crowd.

Feeling buoyed by my success at dancing with a stranger and managing a conversation with someone in the pack, I hunt Lisa down. The dance with Teddy has cemented something inside of me; no matter how handsome another man is, he doesn't bring about the flutters that a single word from Lucas can stir in my belly.

I need girl advice tonight.

Trying to find Lisa in the throng of shifters is impossible. She's nowhere to be found. My skin prickles with the sensation of being watched, assessed. Whispers hiss through the air, just quiet enough that I can't make out the words. But I can imagine well enough what they're saying.

Mia and Chloe are holding court with a group of male shifters. Mia's dark hair tumbles over her shoulder as she laughs, leaning into the broad-shouldered man beside her. Chloe's green eyes flick to mine, a smirk curling her lips. I quickly look away.

I don't know what their goal was in bringing me here, but I don't need to know.

They're not on my side. That's enough to know I want nothing to do with them.

Someone jostles me from behind and I stumble, barely keeping my balance. A red plastic cup is shoved into my hand, sloshing sticky-sweet punch over the side.

"Oops, sorry!" a male voice calls, but when I turn to look, he's already disappeared back into the crowd.

I stare down at the cup in my hand, the sickly artificial scent of fruit and alcohol wafting up to my nose. My stomach churns. I don't want to be here anymore, suffocating under the weight of shifter superiority and teenage hormones. I just want to find Lisa and go home.

Clutching the cup, I weave my way through the mass of bodies, heading for the refuge of the kitchen. It's quieter there, only a few people milling about. I set the cup down on the counter with a shaky hand and pull out my phone.

[AVA: Where are you? I can't find you anywhere.]

I hit send and lean back against the counter, watching the three dots that indicate Lisa is typing. They disappear. Reappear. Disappear again.

[LISA: sry went 2 get air, u ok?]

like she snuck off with Brendan to make out in a shadowy corner somewhere. Not that I can

stare at her text,

never uses

I'm fine. Think I might head out soon though. Not

where

[AVA: Kitchen.]

cup I'd set on the counter draws my gaze, the sticky-sweet scent of punch

just shove it in my hands. Did they think I wanted one?

clear that parties aren't my scene. I

mind, her presence a comforting warmth. Stay

off. Between Lisa's sudden use of text speak and that odd wrong feeling that's been plaguing me

my neck prickle, a shiver

the doorway. Teddy. His warm brown eyes meet mine, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth as he weaves his way through the small clusters

his brow furrowing as he takes in my expression. "You look a little…" He trails off,

tasting bitter on my

next to me. Something flashes in his eyes, too quick for me to catch, but it makes my stomach twist. He reaches out, plucking the

that," he says, his voice light but his expression serious. "It's probably better

confusion warring with a

the sink. The sickly sweet smell is stronger for a moment, but he turns on the water and rinses it all down the drain, his movements quick and efficient, before

carefully neutral. "Just trust me on this one, okay? There's some stuff going around

What does he mean? What kind

ask, hating that I'm suspicious of the one person at this

who cares about his pack," he says, with a faint smile. "The alcohol level in the punch is a bit much for a newbie. You don't drink much, do you? I can tell by the way your nose

say slowly, my voice sounding small even to my

his shoulders relaxing a fraction. "No problem. You sure you're

head, still feeling uneasy. "Thanks, but I'm good. My friend's

but then he nods. "Alright. Well, take care of yourself, okay? And if you need anything,

New?

He hadn't mentioned it, even when he talked about his job and aspirations. It might be private, and I don't want him to feel