Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 180 Ava: Alerted

Sister Miriam is gone as quickly as she appears, just as my bedroom door slams open.

"Miss Grey, are you all right?" The two guards outside my door are more familiar to me. I think they used to guard me at Lisa's apartment, as well.

Their eyes flick to the two crumpled forms of my guards, and their noses flare at the scent of cigarettes. "We heard two thuds. What happened?"

Their words startle me out of my confusion. "Two thuds? Right now?"

"Yes, just now. What happened?"

The two fallen guards stir on the floor, groaning and grunting as they push themselves to standing. The tall one grabs his head with a curse. "Shit, that fucking hurts."

That dhampir was here too long for them to only come in now, Selene says, grim concern darkening her words.

But it seems impossible. Did time pass slower when she was here?

Selene pads in silence to the guards slowly getting off the floor, sniffing at the head of the taller one. He swats her away, but she avoids his hand easily, wandering around the room to take whiffs of air.

It's like she was never here, Selene marvels in confusion. This makes no sense.

"How the fuck are you two on the ground?" one of the new men snarls, pulling them to their feet with a harsh yank. "If Alpha hears about this—"

The one, Tall Asshole, snorts, swaying as he unfolds himself, still holding gingerly to the spot where the pointed tip of Sister Miriam's heels had stabbed with her kick. "Feels like someone hit me with a fucking bat," he mutters, casting a suspicious stare in my direction. Then he panics, patting all over his chest. "My cigarette! Fuck, where did it go?"

All four guards search the room frantically for the missing cigarette, their gazes sweeping every corner and crevice. The tall one even checks his pockets again, as if the cigarette might have magically reappeared. Their confusion is palpable.

Cigarettes don't just go missing.

I perch on the edge of the bed, my fingers gripping the soft comforter as I observe their futile efforts. Selene sits beside me, her presence a solid warmth against my leg. Her eyes, sharp and knowing, follow the guards' movements.

you were okay, Selene points out, her voice tinged with

to be expected. After the massacre, I can't blame them. We both know what they've seen out of me these past

allowed to

from the scene,

have no concern

for their

To them, I'm not worthy of the care Lucas bestows upon

just like the rest of

I can prove otherwise, I can't fight

Their personal feelings shouldn't affect their job. They're supposed to protect you, not ignore you. They're not even worried

probably not

the validity of her argument. She's right, of course. The guards' primary responsibility is to ensure my safety, regardless of their opinions or the circumstances that brought us here. But as

comfort in the soft fur behind her ears. But I don't want to cause

feelings

a situation of

see it now, even if I don't know how to fix

truth—a great way to

if Kellan were

these wolves,

heart constricts. These wolves, these ones I don't trust, who I've

The pack I've chosen.

shouldn't I speak

it," I tell them, as

for a brief-yet-long time don't bother to acknowledge my words. The new guards, the ones from outside the door, glance

one on the right says, and I focus on him. His eyes are a dark, muddy kind of blue-hazel, and his face is kind, even if suspicion has

kicked him," and my finger moves to the taller one, who scowls, "in the head. Probably because she

vampire come see you, Blackwood bitch?" Sister Miriam's victim snaps, even as his hand touches the undoubtedly sore spot on his head once again. "Cooking up another fucking bloodbath with

Muddy-Blue Eyes admonishes him without even glancing in his direction, studying