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?]

Brendan to make out in a

I stare at her text, a sinking feeling in my

uses text

out soon though. Not

where

[AVA: Kitchen.]

the

Did they think I wanted one? Did someone think I was

clear that parties aren't my scene. I feel

in my mind, her presence a comforting

myself than to her. She's right. Something is off. Between Lisa's sudden use of text speak and that odd wrong feeling that's been plaguing me since I

my neck prickle, a shiver running down my spine despite the warmth of

Teddy. His warm brown eyes meet mine, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth

as he takes in my expression. "You look

tasting bitter on my tongue.

to catch, but it makes

says, his voice light but his expression

warring with a sudden surge of

answer, just turns and dumps the contents of the cup into 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

on this one, okay? There's some

stare at him, my mind racing. What does he mean? What kind of

I'm suspicious of the one person at

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

my voice sounding small even to my own ears.

"No problem. You sure you're okay? You need me to walk you out

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

nods. "Alright. Well, take care of yourself, okay? And if you need anything, just let me

New?

to get new blood, but it feels awkward to pry. He hadn't mentioned it, even when he talked about his job and aspirations. It might be private, and I don't want him