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.

back slightly but not releasing me. The pressure on my windpipe eases a fraction and I

scar is where your power leaks out. It's like a drug to creatures who can sense it. It

great, I grouse in my head, still scrabbling to dislodge the vampire's chokehold.

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

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

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

escaping in a strangled laugh. "Must

ghost across my collarbone, tracing the neck of

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

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

feet. I stumble, legs shaky, as he shoves me behind him. He

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

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

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 her out of here, away

My heart seizes in my chest. Teddy lies crumpled on the ground, his head twisted at an

from his chin. "Did you really think you could best