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.

the vampire's face, fingernails gouging. He snarls, jerking back slightly but not releasing me. The pressure on my windpipe eases a fraction and I suck in a desperate breath, spots

sense it. It isn't quite

just great, I grouse in my head, still scrabbling to dislodge the vampire's chokehold. Whose brilliant idea was it to

growls in frustration. Just protect it, Ava! Don't let him break the skin there,

neck again, lips brushing my hammering pulse. Lightheadedness swamps me and I giggle, strangely giddy, before I realize it's

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

a strangled laugh. "Must be the

kitten has claws." Cool fingers ghost across my collarbone, tracing

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 the scent,

neck, wrenching out the object lodged there. It's a

arm and hauling me to my feet. I stumble, legs shaky, as

Teddy grits out, not taking his eyes off the seething creature

already moving, launching himself at the vampire with a

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

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

his chin. "Did you