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.

face, fingernails gouging. He snarls, jerking back slightly but not releasing me. The pressure on my windpipe eases a fraction

a drug to creatures who can sense it. It

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

frustration. Just protect it, Ava! Don't let

my hammering pulse. Lightheadedness swamps me

out to taste. Bile rises in my throat. "What is that

bubbles up, escaping in a strangled laugh. "Must be the pancakes I had for

and amusement. "So the kitten has claws." Cool fingers ghost across my collarbone, tracing

in 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 there's an underlying sweetness that makes my stomach heave.

wrenching out the object lodged there. It's a knife, the blade slick with his blood. He snarls, fangs bared, as he tosses it

hauling me to my feet. I stumble, legs shaky, as he shoves me behind him. He faces off against the vampire,

out, not taking his eyes off the seething creature before

already moving, launching himself at the vampire with

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

Teddy lies crumpled on the ground, his head twisted at

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