Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 169 Ava: A Strange Meeting

Confusion flickers across the stranger's face for a moment before understanding dawns. "Ah, I see. If you saw someone just now, it was likely a manifestation of your own fears. A distraction, meant to throw off anyone who might be following me."

I stare at him, my mind struggling to comprehend his words. A manifestation of my fears? How is that even possible?

Selene pads forward, her nose twitching as she sniffs at the stranger's feet. To my shock, her hackles remain flat, her tail giving a tentative wag. She's never reacted this way to a potential threat before.

He is not a danger to us, but he is not an ally, she tells me.

"What are you?" I ask, my voice barely above a whisper.

The stranger tilts his head, studying me with those unsettling eyes. "I could ask the same of you. Why is a witch running with the Blackwood Pack?"

The word "witch" hits me like a punch to the gut, stealing the breath from my lungs.

The only ones to call me that are vampires.

Careful, Ava. Selene's warning echoes through my mind, even as she continues to sniff at the stranger's shoes.

The stranger glances at Selene, distaste crossing his face, but he allows her to sniff. Then he glances over my shoulder. "I'm afraid we'll have to continue this conversation another time. Once you have permission from my mother, that is."

"Your mother?" I echo, confusion and frustration warring within me. "What are you talking about?"

But the stranger is already backing away, melting into the shadows as if they were never there at all. I lunge forward, desperate for answers, but my hands close on empty air.

I hesitate, torn between the desire to chase after the mysterious stranger and the knowledge that I can't just go off running.

I've been kidnapped enough times that I really should have learned my lesson.

Ava, stop. Selene's voice is firm, halting me in my tracks. We need to get back to the others. Kellan is coming.

around to see Kellan bursting forth from the trees, his chest

dart around the area, searching for any signs of

is tight with concern as he approaches

still echo in my mind. "I thought I saw someone out here. But they're gone

takes another deep inhale, his expression growing more perplexed by the second.

the adrenaline still pumping through my veins. How could Kellan not detect the stranger's scent? Selene had clearly caught their smell, even if

mouth, ready to explain further, but something holds me back. The stranger's parting comment about needing permission from his mother—whoever that might

my pack. Things about Blackwood don't make sense, as though there's a cloud

daughter, I should know more. If I'd known how my life would turn out, I would have spent more time lingering during late-night discussions, instead of tuning people out and hiding whenever I

always better,

scraps of information I'm somehow supposed to piece together, I glance at Kellan, who's looking around again, nostrils flared as he double

more information, it's probably best to keep this encounter

I imagined it," I say instead, shaking my head. "It's

is more likely than thinking there's something going on that can pull the wool

who needs to be protected. Not someone who can protect

nice if that changes

It will.

confidence is

shoulder, Kellan glances around again. "Let's

beside me. I can feel her gaze on me, knowing and expectant, but I

think it's best if you stay inside. We'll be adding more guards. At

short, turning to face him. "Actually, I was hoping to see Vanessa. I want to visit

flickers across Kellan's face, followed by a frown. "Are you

words still stinging. But there's a nagging feeling in my gut, urging me to try again. Especially now, with the appearance of this mysterious

too comfortable here in Blackwood lands. Mom might know

I say, injecting as much conviction into my voice as I

for a long moment before sighing. "I'll let Lucas