Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 173 Ava: Hard Truths

Vanessa sighs, her hand warm and gentle against my back, rubbing in soothing circles. "Ava, understand that you can be wrong, even when you're right. Or right, even when you're wrong."

A laugh bubbles up, hysterical and wild. "That makes no sense."

"You chafe under his protection. You feel caged, right?"

A quick nod. Of course. That much is obvious.

"It's okay to feel that way. It's normal, even. But is Lucas wrong to keep your safety in consideration?"

Selene sighs, bumping her head against my legs, and I tug at one of her ears. "No, of course not."

"The party was a terrible misfortune. None of us expected a vampire attack on pack lands. For something like this to happen…" Her words trail off, and she glances away. "I don't even know how long it's been. We knew Blackwood was working with the Unregistered in some way, but to have this level of alliance is unheard of."

Hunching my shoulders, I mutter, "I never would have gone, if I'd known."

"I know." The gentle rubbing never ceases. "And Lucas didn't blame you. He doesn't blame you. He blames himself."

"But he didn't do anything wrong. It was me." Guilt gnaws at me. "I was the one who bothered him about the guards. About my freedom. I pushed to go to the party. Everything was because of me.

The vampire wanted me, and now Lisa's gone."

Resting my forehead on my knees, I whisper, "I'm a plague to everyone who cares about me. So many people are dead, and even Lisa…"

"A defeatist attitude isn't going to help you, Ava." The back rubs stop as Vanessa gets off the bed, her voice firming. "The time for wallowing is long past. You've grown stronger, and you're no longer the flinching pup I first met. You're our future Luna. Yes, the massacre happened. Neither you or Lucas knew it would happen.

It's a terrible and unfortunate situation."

"But it's my fault. What am I supposed to do?" Turning my head so my cheek is against my knees, I watch Vanessa as she stands in front of me. "It's my fault. I should have just sat at home and kept my mouth shut. Never put anyone in danger…"

Vanessa stares at me, one brow raised, as my words trail off.

I'm saying something wrong. I can tell in her facial expression.

piercing gaze holds me captive, demanding

freedom, or to stay

remain silent, my tongue leaden

so silly when she lays

her eyes remain unwavering. "Was there no middle ground, Ava? No way to get what you wanted

in my skull, colliding with the unyielding walls of my stubborn resolve. I want to argue, to defend my actions, but the weight of her wisdom

she right? Could I have found another

but I shy away from

me,

I pushed too hard as well, little wolf. Her voice is more

position, feeling too childish in how I'm moping, I do my best

my world. So I take a deep breath and think, letting her words soak in, pushing Lucas

at the

sounds pathetic, even to

black and white, Ava. It's a tapestry woven with countless shades of gray. Do you believe everything is so clear-cut? That there

not." The answer comes easily, a truth I've

paint your own choices in such stark contrasts? Why do you

the air, a challenge I can't ignore. I close my eyes, searching for the answer within myself. Selene's presence is

I have no choice, that I'm backed into a corner with no

know there were other options, other paths I could have taken. Compromises I could have made, if only I'd been willing to look beyond my own stubborn

determined to stand on my own

prove my independence than consider

by the constant surveillance and control. I wanted to prove that I could make my own choices, that I'm not just a pawn anymore. Being weak… I'm sick of it. I want to be

of her grasp traveling up my arm and into

strong, Selene insists, with the softest whine. You are much stronger than

doesn't mean leaning on your allies is weakness. That doesn't

squeeze back, grateful for the connection between us. Her voice is soft as she continues, "The desire for freedom, for autonomy, is a powerful thing. But it's important to remember that true freedom comes with responsibility. The responsibility to consider the consequences of our actions, not just for ourselves,

the tears that threaten to spill

Young lives, lives with promise. While the fault lies with our enemies, it is a consequence that we should have avoided." A flicker of sadness crosses her face. "Our alpha will always carry the weight of

Like me.