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.

my teeth, I shove at the vampire's face, fingernails gouging. He snarls, jerking back slightly but not releasing me. The pressure

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

my head, still scrabbling to dislodge the vampire's chokehold. Whose brilliant idea was it to put a magic neon 'bite me' sign on my

protect it, Ava! Don't

grip loosening as he nuzzles into my neck again, lips brushing my hammering pulse. Lightheadedness swamps me and I giggle, strangely giddy, before I realize it's the lack of oxygen making

out to taste. Bile rises in my throat. "What is that delectable

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

answering hiss is a mixture of irritation and amusement. "So the kitten has claws." Cool fingers ghost across my collarbone, tracing the neck of my shirt. "Shall we see what other

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

the object lodged there.

my arm and hauling me to my feet. I stumble, legs shaky, as he shoves me behind him. He faces off against the vampire, fists raised, body coiled

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

is already moving, launching

her breathing shallow. I shake her shoulders, calling her name, but she doesn't respond.

in my chest. Teddy lies crumpled on the ground, his head twisted at an unnatural angle. His wolf eyes stare sightlessly at the

his chin. "Did you really think you could best