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.

but not releasing me. The pressure on my windpipe eases

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

still scrabbling to dislodge the vampire's chokehold. Whose brilliant idea

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

nuzzles into my neck again, lips brushing my hammering pulse. Lightheadedness

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

a strangled laugh. "Must be the pancakes I

claws." Cool fingers ghost across my collarbone, tracing

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, fighting the urge to vomit as I'm dropped

His hand flies to his neck, wrenching out the object lodged there.

there, grabbing my arm and hauling me to my feet. I stumble, legs shaky, as he shoves

out, not taking his eyes off

and reaching Lisa. But Teddy is already moving, launching himself at the vampire with a guttural roar, shifting as he

I shake her shoulders, calling her name, but she

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 a cruel

his chin. "Did