Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 138 Ava: A Shocking Finale (II)

"Such a naughty kitten," the vampire mutters, scowling in a way that erases the beauty of his face.

The vampire's grip tightens, crushing my throat as I thrash against him. My lungs scream for air. I claw at his hands, nails scraping uselessly against unyielding flesh. Panic floods my mind, blotting out rational thought.

Your training, Ava! Remember your training! Selene's voice slices through my rising hysteria.

Right. Training. Jericho's lessons flash through my oxygen-starved brain. I stop flailing and focus, letting my body go limp, conserving strength. The vampire smirks, misreading it as submission. His cold breath washes over my face as he leans in, nostrils flaring.

He's...sniffing me?

Revulsion churns my stomach as his nose skims along my jaw, down to the crook of my neck. He lingers there, inhaling deeply, a pleased rumble vibrating his chest.

The scar, Ava! Don't let him near it! Selene's warning ricochets through my head. He can't bite you there!

Fragmented memories resurface—Selene cautioning me about my scar during my heat, insisting I keep Clayton away from it. I hadn't understood then. I'm not sure I do now. But her urgency propels me into action.

me. The pressure on my windpipe eases

sense it. It isn't quite an aphrodisiac, but it

scrabbling to dislodge the vampire's chokehold. Whose brilliant idea was

frustration. Just protect it, Ava! Don't let him

again, lips brushing my hammering pulse. Lightheadedness

my skin, tongue flicking out to taste. Bile rises in my throat. "What is that delectable aroma, little

a strangled laugh.

fingers ghost across my collarbone, tracing the neck of my shirt. "Shall we see what other

wound, splattering us both in a grotesque crimson spray. The coppery tang assaults my nose, but there's an underlying sweetness that makes my stomach heave. It's cloying, like rotting fruit, and I

back, his eyes wide with shock and fury. His hand flies to his neck, wrenching out the object

I stumble, legs shaky, as he shoves me behind him. He faces off against the vampire, fists raised, body

run," Teddy grits out, not taking his eyes off the seething

Teddy and reaching Lisa. But Teddy is already moving, launching himself at the vampire with

her shoulders, calling her name, but she doesn't respond. Panic

the ground, his head twisted at

wiping blood from his chin. "Did you really think you could