Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 183

Chapter 183 Ava: Jericho's Acceptance

Since neither shifter seems very interested in talking, I sit with only my thoughts for company.

Even Selene is silent in my head, though she rests her chin on my leg, her eyes deceptively closed.

She's not asleep, but still dealing with whatever demons are inside of her right now.

Both guards tense as Selene's ears flick around.

Someone's coming, she says, lifting her head to stare at the door. When both guards relax after that distracted look from them linking with someone, she does too, despite sniffing at the air.

Jericho, she says, as the door opens and his grizzled head pokes into the room.

Jericho glances around, looking at both guards with clear contempt, before nodding to me. "Girl," he says gruffly.

My lips twitch into a faint smile, an unexpected warmth blooming in my chest at his informal address. At least one thing hasn't changed. He still treats me the same, even after everything that's happened.

"Wait outside," Jericho orders the two ill-at-ease shifters, jerking his head toward the door. They hesitate for a moment, exchanging an uncertain look, but a single raised eyebrow from Jericho has them scurrying out of the room.

The door closes with a soft click, and Jericho turns his attention back to me. "How're you doing? Feeling okay?"

I open my mouth, ready to assure him that I'm fine, but the words lodge in my throat. Am I okay? After the riot, Todd's mother, the vampire attack, and all the little truths Vanessa has managed to open my eyes to… I don't think I am.

But complaining about it doesn't seem right, either.

Jericho seems to sense my inner turmoil. He sighs, running a hand over his stubbled jaw. "Listen, girl, all young pups make mistakes. It's part of growing up."

"Young pup?" The term catches me off guard. I haven't been called that since I was a child.

but I don't really remember

tugs at the corner of Jericho's mouth. "You're still young, a baby in my eyes. I've been around long enough to see countless pups stumble and fall. Done it myself,

old man of little praise and a lot of torture, making mistakes as

he even had

one day, old and cantankerous, yelling at innocent out-of-shape wolf shifters until they

continues, his gaze intense. "But I like the look in your eyes now. You

His assessment comes as a surprise. I don't feel stronger. In fact, I feel embarrassed by how strong I thought I was, not so

Blinded by peace.

I mutter, rubbing Selene's head. She's already lowered her head and closed her eyes again,

eyebrows raise a fraction. "Are you an idiot? Muddle-headed sheepdog,

to rise to his bait. "What do you

he instead takes the opportunity to pace my room in short, slow strides. It takes a little

he says, sounding surprised. "Not even a

"Of what?"

vampire." Turning, he gazes at me, his

* * *

grizzled face is somehow easier than I thought it would

because it never changes, never shows its

asks questions when he

he stares at the ceiling in thought, one booted foot tapping against the floor as time

it sounds, girl, my gut's telling me this

I scoot a little further off the edge of my bed. "Why? Lucas doesn't trust

snap down from the ceiling to meet with mine, "no vampire acts like this toward someone they're hunting. No, she has a plan, and you feature in it. She's courting you

and murkier than you ever want to be knee-deep in, but there is no loyalty in their blood. They don't have the

The question slips out before I

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