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.

captive, demanding an answer I'm

of freedom, or to stay locked away in your apartment, watched at all times

remain silent, my tongue leaden and

seems so silly when she lays it

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

in my skull, colliding with the unyielding walls of my stubborn resolve. I want to argue, to defend

right? Could I have found another

shy away from it in my

me, a reminder of

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

childish in how I'm moping,

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

was another way. But at the time,

even to

tapestry woven with countless shades of gray. Do you believe

The answer comes easily, a truth I've always known but

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

challenge I can't ignore. I close my eyes, searching for the answer within myself.

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

could have taken.

stand on my own

prove my

and control. I wanted to prove that I could make my

hand in hers, the warmth of her

the softest whine. You are much stronger than you

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

and I 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

threaten to spill down my cheeks. "The

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 those

Like me.