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.

not releasing me. The pressure on my windpipe eases a fraction and I suck in a desperate breath, spots dancing

where your power leaks out. It's like a drug to creatures who can sense it. It isn't quite an aphrodisiac, but it can be, in

great, I grouse in my head, still scrabbling to dislodge the vampire's chokehold. Whose brilliant idea was it to put a magic neon 'bite

growls in frustration. Just protect it, Ava! Don't let him break the skin there, no matter

lips brushing my hammering pulse. Lightheadedness swamps me and I giggle, strangely giddy,

murmurs against my skin, tongue flicking out to taste. Bile rises in my

bubbles up, escaping in a strangled laugh. "Must be the pancakes I had

mixture of irritation and amusement. "So the kitten has claws." Cool fingers ghost across my collarbone, tracing the

my nose,

his eyes wide with shock and fury. His hand flies to his neck, wrenching out the object lodged there. It's a knife, the blade slick with

my feet. I stumble, legs shaky, as he shoves

your friend and run," Teddy grits out, not taking his eyes off the seething creature before us.

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

unconscious, her breathing shallow. I shake her shoulders, calling her name, but she doesn't respond. Panic claws at my chest. I need to get her out of

makes me whip my head around. My heart seizes in my chest. Teddy lies crumpled on the ground, his head twisted at an unnatural angle. His wolf eyes stare sightlessly at the sky, his muzzle slack. The vampire stands over him, lips curled in

chin. "Did you