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

the party without guards, risking everything for a taste of freedom, or to stay locked

remain silent, my tongue

so silly when she

but her eyes remain unwavering. "Was there no middle ground, Ava? No way

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

Could I have

shy away

me,

well, little wolf. Her voice is more hesitant than

into a proper sitting position, feeling too childish in how I'm moping, I do my best to meet

respect. She's always been amazing, one of the few supports in my world. So I take a

there was another way. But at the

pathetic, even to

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

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

own choices in such

close my eyes, searching for the answer within myself. Selene's presence is a comforting

to believe I have no choice, that I'm backed

is it? Deep down, I 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

was too determined to stand on my own two

prove my independence

I whisper, the admission tearing at my throat. "Scared of losing myself, of being suffocated 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

my hand in hers, the warmth of her grasp traveling up my arm

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

that doesn't mean leaning on your allies is weakness. That doesn't mean compromising changes your boundaries. And it doesn't mean

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

that threaten to spill down my

Many lives were lost. 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

Like me.