Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 179 Ava: Surprise Visit

Selene lies curled in a patch of moonlight, her head resting on her tail, eyes closed. Her presence usually brings me comfort, but even she can't soothe the anxiety that grips me now.

The room feels more like a prison than a sanctuary, the air thick with unspoken animosity. I glance out the window again, searching the darkness for any sign of movement, any indication that Lucas and the others are okay.

Nothing, of course.

They're miles away.

Their howls fill the air, raising the hair on my arms and the back of my neck.

It takes time, Selene murmurs, her eyes still closed as she basks in the moonlight.

She looks as relaxed as can be, but the edge in her mental voice tells me otherwise.

The knot in my stomach refuses to unravel. It's the same feeling I had before the attack on the party, a sense of impending doom that crawls beneath my skin and sets my nerves on edge.

The two shifters standing guard don't help matters. They're strangers to me, with unfamiliar faces and rigid stances. The tension in the room is palpable. I can't bring myself to attempt conversation, not when every instinct screams that they despise me.

Minutes drag by, and nothing changes.

No updates.

Only the occasional cough from the guard with short hair and a scar under his left eye.

By the unfocused look that comes over their faces here and there, I know they're listening in to the hunt. They know something.

My thoughts keep circling back to Lucas and the others out there hunting the vampire. The not knowing is torture, my imagination conjuring up increasingly horrific scenarios with each passing second.

the shifters, my words tight

man with cold brown eyes, regards me with open disdain.

catches me off guard, and I flinch as if he'd struck me. Heat rushes to my cheeks, a mixture of embarrassment and indignation. "I'm worried people will get hurt tonight," I manage to say, my voice

companion's arm, shaking his head in silent warning. They

tell me to stand up for myself

she feels the treatment is

in the silence. I'm only quiet because I'm thinking

Oh.

Was I wallowing again?

Yes.

Damn it.

my field of march. The guards step back, giving me space, though they share

the room with a haze. My nose wrinkles in distaste. "Could you please not smoke in here?" I ask,

disdain, taking a long drag before blowing the smoke in

guard elbows him sharply in the ribs, hissing under his breath. "Stop it before you

sneer twisting his features. "She's not even our alpha's mate. She was rejected. Nothing but a

hit me like a physical blow, knocking the air from my lungs. I

her," he continues, jerking his chin

before I can voice them, both guards suddenly collapse to

picking up the still-smoldering cigarette from the tall guard's limp fingers. Taking a long drag, she regards the unconscious man

small, vindictive part of me whispers

me, an apologetic smile on her face. "Sorry for the dramatic entrance, my dear. But I come bearing a

is on her feet now, hackles raised as she positions herself between me and the enigmatic woman. She

your face. Ava, you'll be pleased to hear that the Mad Prince hasn't been able to do much to your precious friend. He's been on a bit

"A merry chase?"