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.

holds me captive, demanding an answer I'm not sure

for a taste of freedom, or to stay locked away in your apartment, watched at all times like a prisoner?" Her questions cut deep, exposing the flaws in

my tongue leaden

silly when she lays it

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

stubborn resolve. I want to argue, to defend my actions, but the

I have found another

but I shy away from it in

against me,

Her voice is

too childish in how I'm moping, I do my best to meet

So I take a deep breath and

way. But at the time, it felt like my

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?

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

but insistent, "do you paint your own choices in such stark contrasts? Why do you see only the extremes, without considering

my eyes, searching for the answer within myself. Selene's

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

I could have taken. Compromises

determined to stand

my independence than consider

"Scared of losing myself, of being suffocated by the constant surveillance and control. I wanted to prove that I could

of her grasp traveling up

with the softest whine. You are

Vanessa echoes. "But that doesn't mean leaning on your allies is weakness. That doesn't mean compromising

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

nod, blinking back the tears that threaten to spill

A flicker of sadness crosses her face. "Our alpha will always carry the weight of those

Like me.