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, flatly refusing to respond

assessment of her

is not, Selene huffs,

"Mhm."

it.

me that still doesn't feel like I really did

another part of me that's horrified to think back on the last

But more than that…

up at me from

knowing that you're putting yourself in danger without coming to

"Selene."

ears twitch, but

think we should go back. For

burn tonight. It has to

I'll

I don't ask how, but Kellan

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 think he's

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

that stabs

attend the rites of

with Vanessa's words. There's a faint sense of her emotions in the back of my head, and I

much time to think about it, because Vanessa's words keep circling around and around in my

wrong when I'm

inside my head. Something

I rest my head against the small oval window.

a moment 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 shades of blue,

letting out

many lives lost, and all I've really thought about

important, but—I'm

of an

of

mind was independence. Of proving I didn't need anyone. Of my life in Cedarwood. All things that take me away from

Away from responsibility.

Away from reality.

important. But those people who lost their lives?

They're important, too.

I want freedom, or did I want to

uncomfortably, hearing every word of my soft mutterings. "Do you really want

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

long, my shoulders slumping at his words. Whatever his opinion is, it's clearly not great. Vanessa was kind in how she approached me, and I have no idea what blunt words

to worry about my hurt feelings when I'm on my way to a funeral,