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 barely rising and falling

and wary, dart around the area, searching for any signs of

are you okay?" His voice is tight with concern as he approaches me, nostrils flaring

still echo in my mind. "I thought I

his expression growing more perplexed

me, mingling with the adrenaline still pumping through my veins. How could Kellan not detect the stranger's scent?

further, but something holds me back. The

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

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, I

information I'm somehow supposed to piece together, I glance at Kellan, who's looking around

it's probably best to keep this encounter to

it," I say instead, shaking

little insulting to know that he thinks being mistaken is more likely than thinking there's something going on that can pull the

who needs to be protected.

nice if that

It will.

confidence is a

hand against my shoulder, Kellan glances around again. "Let's get you back to the

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

you stay inside. We'll be adding more guards. At least until we

was hoping to see Vanessa. I want to visit

followed by a frown. "Are you

of my mother's venomous words still stinging. But there's a nagging feeling in my

Blackwood lands. Mom might know

her," I say, injecting as

studies me for a long moment before sighing.