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.

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

drug to creatures who can sense it. It isn't quite an aphrodisiac, but it can be,

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 let him break the skin

vampire chuckles darkly, his 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

an enticing scent," he murmurs against my skin, tongue flicking out to taste. Bile rises in my throat.

a strangled laugh. "Must be

kitten has claws." Cool fingers ghost across my collarbone, tracing the neck of my shirt. "Shall we see what

assaults my nose, but there's an underlying sweetness that makes my stomach heave. It's cloying, like rotting fruit, and I

staggers back, his eyes wide with shock 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

Teddy is there, grabbing 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

taking his eyes off the seething creature before us. "I'll hold him

reaching Lisa. But Teddy is already moving, launching himself at the

She's still unconscious, her breathing shallow. I shake her shoulders, calling her name, but she doesn't respond. Panic claws at my chest. I need to get

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

blood from his chin. "Did