Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 160 Ava: Eyes Wide Open

It smells like him, Selene grumbles, her wet nose twitching as she sniffs around the plush rug in the center of Lucas' bedroom. Everywhere.

I glance up from where I'm unpacking my suitcase, one eyebrow arched. "Well, it's his room. What did you expect?"

She huffs, her tail swishing in annoyance. I expected not to be assaulted by the scent of alpha male posturing every time I breathe. Her mental words are sour, but without the bite they used to have when she spoke of Lucas.

A laugh escapes me despite the heaviness still lingering in my chest from the earlier confrontation with Margot. "Posturing? Really? It's just his scent."

Yes, really. She flops down on the rug, her chin resting on her paws. It's like he's marking his territory. Letting everyone know this is his space.

"Is it really posturing when he just sleeps in here?"

Yes.

I roll my eyes, turning back to my suitcase. She's reaching for reasons to complain, but knowing that her grumbling doesn't have the fierce hatred of before helps a lot. "He's the alpha. Isn't that kind of his job?"

There's a difference between being an alpha and being obnoxious about it.

Her complaints continue as I move about the room, hanging up clothes and arranging my toiletries in the en-suite bathroom.

It's a beautiful space, all dark wood and rich fabrics, with a massive king-sized bed dominating the center. It's all masculine without a single feminine touch, which somehow pleases me.

The thought of sleeping here, surrounded by Lucas' scent, makes me smile—even if my wolf hates it.

But Selene's complaints nag at me, pulling me out of my reverie. I pause, a shirt dangling from my fingers, and turn to face her.

"Okay, what's your deal with Lucas? I thought you were over your issues with him now that we're together."

heavy sound that seems to deflate her entire body. It's not that simple,

shirt on the bed and move to sit beside her, my fingers sinking into her thick fur.

being stubborn. She's still grouchy, but there's less heat in her voice

what? Lucas has proven himself time and time again. He's been there

a good man,

came to me with all the wise demeanor and cryptic words of some sage, but at times like this, she's just a

"But…?"

thumps against

I'll explain it another

head and ears. "Promise that it's not the same kind of 'another day' where you don't say anything until I'm kidnapped, rescued, and then go into a coma for

been that long if you hadn't gotten yourself kidnapped again in the

add, "Besides, I didn't get kidnapped by the vampire this time." My heart sinks as I think that over, my heart sinking. Maybe if I had been, Lisa wouldn't

confidence for someone who hasn't finished

"Hush."

glance over at the pack lands spread out before me. The small city feels stagnant,

stepping back in

They move with a sense of urgency, as if they're afraid to linger too long in any

sickening display of the gender dynamics that have always been present in the

gender dynamics. I'd even seen the difference when I attended school in White Peak, or worked there. But I always felt, deep down, that the difference was

Now?

relative equality and freedom of Aspen

my core. This is not because

echoes in my

the scene below. A female I recognize hurries across the street, her arms laden with bags.

path, forcing her to stop short. He says something, his posture aggressive, and the female shrinks back. Even from this distance, I can see the fear in

their confrontation, that I realize my shoulders are tense and drawn up,