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.

gouging. He snarls, jerking back slightly but not releasing me. The pressure on my windpipe eases a fraction

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

chokehold. Whose brilliant idea was it to put a magic

Just protect it, Ava! Don't let him break the skin

lips brushing my hammering pulse. Lightheadedness swamps me and I giggle, strangely giddy, before I realize it's the lack of oxygen making

against my skin, tongue flicking out to taste. Bile rises in my throat. "What is

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

amusement. "So the kitten has claws." Cool fingers ghost across

in the vampire's neck with a sickening squelch. Blood spurts from the 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 gag on

and fury. His hand flies to his neck, wrenching out the object lodged there. It's a knife, the blade slick with his blood. He snarls, fangs

and hauling me to my feet. I stumble, legs shaky, as he shoves me behind him. He faces off against

and run," Teddy grits out, not taking his eyes off the seething creature before us. "I'll

is already moving, launching himself at the vampire with a guttural roar, shifting as he rushes

scramble to Lisa's side. She's still unconscious, her breathing shallow. I shake her shoulders, calling her name, but she doesn't respond.

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

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