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.

longer, I turn to the shifters, my words tight with barely restrained panic. "Any updates on

the two, a broad-shouldered man with cold brown eyes, regards me with open

embarrassment and indignation. "I'm worried people will get hurt tonight," I manage to say, my voice sounding small and defensive even to my own

shifter grabs his companion's arm, shaking his head in silent warning. They both turn away from me, their dismissal cutting

Selene would normally tell me to stand up for myself and not let

she feels

says suddenly, startling me in the

Oh.

Was I wallowing again?

Yes.

Damn it.

and I pace the room, starting with a small square, then expanding my field of march. The guards step back, giving me space, though they share a look that doesn't

My nose wrinkles in distaste. "Could you please not smoke in here?" I ask,

a long drag before blowing

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

the wall, a sneer twisting his features. "She's not even

air from my lungs. I know I'm

only there for her," he continues, jerking his chin in

my mind, but before I can voice them, both guards suddenly collapse to

heart leaping into my throat as a figure materializes out of thin air. Sister Miriam. She bends down, picking up the still-smoldering cigarette from the tall guard's limp fingers. Taking a long drag, she

small, vindictive part of

apologetic smile on her face. "Sorry for the dramatic entrance, my dear. But

her feet now, hackles raised as she positions herself between me and the enigmatic woman. She shouldn't be able to get

Miriam flicks her cigarette ashes in Selene's direction. "Never able to see past the nose on 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 of a

"A merry chase?"