Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 174 Ava: Selene Isn't Human

Selene writhes against the bedspread, looking like a puppy chastised. She says these are our growing pains, and I'm too old to be throwing a tantrum like a pup.

She sounds so offended that I almost laugh.

Almost.

But I can feel the threat in her mental presence. If I dare to laugh now, I'll never hear the end of it.

So I focus on Vanessa, instead.

"Ava, listen. A wolf is not human. Our wolves think of ourselves first, and everyone else secondary. They're focused on power first, and results second. Not on the sacrifices. Results are what matter, and everything else will fall into place with them."

A soft, husky-like yowling bark comes out of Selene. That isn't true.

Isn't it?

Somehow, it feels very…

Don't you dare finish that thought. Selene snaps at the air. We also care about the sacrifices, and understand relationships become complicated when we do what needs to be done.

Vanessa watches me with a patient stare.

"Sorry. Selene was talking."

"I can see that." Her smile is faint. "They usually do, when we get this talk. But it's usually when we're pups, and it comes from our parents. This is the first wolves and the babes chat I've had with an adult."

Wolves and the babes?

That sounds so… adorable.

But I remember clearly what a 12-year-old wolf shifter is like. A voracious appetite, short temper, and a tendency towards sneaking around to get what they want.

Not very adorable.

"Look, Ava. Ultimately, the relationship wolves have with each other is not the same as humans have with each other. A wolf might understand why they were pushed aside, once all is said an done. They can accept these cases as they come, without detriment to their pack bond, knowing that the end result is the most important thing. But we," and she points between us, "are not like that.

If Lucas were to ghost you, how would you feel?"

That's easy. "Terrible." We've already lived through that.

"And if he did things behind your back, saying the entire time that it was what was best for you, and you just have to trust him?"

Seeing where she's going, I can't hold her gaze, lowering mine to the bedspread. It's soft, with a few threads loose, perfect to pluck while being forced to face hard truths. "I would feel awful. Like he doesn't trust me. Like our relationship isn't as strong as it should be." Thinking on it, on how I felt when I lived in what I felt were gilded cages, "And angry. I would definitely be angry."

Vanessa nods. "Now, have Selene answer that question, and think about it. I'm going to see what I can do to make this 'hare-brained' scheme of yours work."

* * *

walks stiff-legged to curl up under the window,

Vanessa's assessment of

not, Selene

"Mhm."

get it.

still doesn't feel

that's horrified to

But more than that…

up at me from

hate knowing that you're putting yourself in danger without coming to me for help first. When you're ready, can

"Selene."

Selene's ears twitch, but her sulking doesn't

we should go back. For the

burn tonight. It has

wonder if I'll make it

set my plans in motion. I don't ask how, but Kellan manages to get a

land an hour before the rites begin, which should be just enough time to make it there in time. Kellan alternates between calm and brooding, but there's a distinct feeling of approval that I don't

with respect as Lucas' mate; he's never once looked at me with high

stabs

I wanted to attend the rites of lives lost

uncharacteristically silent herself, seeming to struggle with Vanessa's words. There's a faint sense of her emotions in the back of my head, and I

I don't have much time to think about it, because Vanessa's

be wrong when I'm

it's changed something inside my head. Something

the small oval window. These overwhelming thoughts and emotions

I shove away all thoughts, my unfocused gaze drifting over the endless expanse of clouds. It's a beautiful sunset below us, with orange and pink and

close my eyes, letting out a shaky

all I've really

but—I'm

failure of an

of a

on my mind was independence. Of proving I didn't need anyone. Of my life in Cedarwood. All

Away from responsibility.

Away from reality.

But those people who lost their lives? Those families with a forever-missing

They're important, too.

freedom, or did I want to

uncomfortably, hearing every word of my soft

at the back of my head, probably wondering what's

it's clearly not great. Vanessa was kind in

to worry about my hurt feelings when I'm on my way to a funeral, and yet my heart cringes at the thought of another