Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 176 Ava: Attending the Rites

Odd? How so?

Selene's soft whine catches Kellan's attention. "We'll be there soon. Will she be okay?"

It doesn't seem that he realizes the dog is not actually a dog. "She's fine."

I thought I had all my memory, but when I try to think back, everything is fuzzy. Even my own name doesn't come to mind.

My head aches at the thought of trying to unravel that. What kind of memories? From becoming a dog?

Not exactly. My past life. My identity. Many things… Things I thought I remembered. Vanessa's words sound familiar, but I cannot access the memories. It feels important.

That just sounds… Yeah. She's right. It's odd.

How long have they been missing?

Silence.

Then, I don't know. Forever.

Leaning down, I rub at Selene's head. It'll be okay. I'm sure we'll figure it out. But we both know my promise is hollow. I have no way of keeping it.

Selene whines again, resting her head on her paws as she stays beneath my chair. Ava, am I a detriment to you?

Of course not. My denial is swift and from the heart. But… I think we might make bad decisions together.

Her mood plummets; I can feel it in the back of my head. Like Lucas and his wolf, as children.

Scratching behind her ears in gentle consolation, my heart is buoyed when she leans against my touch. You have given me much strength by being here. We'll figure it out together.

Together, she confirms, but that insecure edge to her words is still there.

* * *

my walk resembles the wobbling

to the pack lands as twilight

No lights on.

No people.

signs of life

we make it to a large field deep in the forest, filled with people. Some

drive; everyone else used four paws to

painfully in my gut as I see so

leg; Kellan hadn't wanted to bring

slinking

about

Like I don't belong.

Filled with shame.

hadn't

occasional mourning keen. There are no words

a crowd of bodies surrounding the pyres, the entire clearing bathed in the darkening

close to my side as we make our way to the back of the crowd. His hand rests on the small of my back, guiding me with gentle pressure as he points or tugs

ahead, his jaw clenched. Even his weathered face, marked by countless scars, can't hide

heaviness pressing down

of so much loss, I'm hit with the price of my willfulness, of my blind demand

All of them.

Every single one.

for the dead. For the families left behind. For the pack that will never be

to cry, not when my actions have caused so much pain. Not when I've been so

I can see the cracks

my voice barely audible over

me, his brow furrowed.

so selfish. For not thinking

clear in his eyes. His face. In how his lips curve down at my

staring ahead again. "It's not your fault, Ava. You didn't cause

in my heart,

hadn't been at that party, those vampires wouldn't have gone