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.

snarls, jerking back slightly but not releasing me. The pressure on my windpipe

out. It's like a drug to creatures who can sense it. It isn't quite an aphrodisiac, but it can be, in the right

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

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

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

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

escaping in a strangled laugh. "Must be the

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

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

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

legs shaky, as he shoves me behind him. He

your friend and run," Teddy grits out, not taking his

Teddy is already moving, launching himself at the vampire with a guttural

her name, but she doesn't respond. Panic claws at my chest. I need

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

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