Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

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

the corner of Jericho's mouth. "You're still young, a baby in my eyes. I've been around long enough to see

a grizzled old man of little praise and a lot of torture, making

he even had a

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

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

I don't feel stronger. In fact, I feel embarrassed by how strong I thought

Blinded by peace.

mutter, rubbing Selene's head. She's already lowered her head and closed her eyes again, leaving me to Jericho's presence alone. "I feel like I've

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

energy to rise to his

with nothing but a curt grunt, he instead takes the opportunity to pace my room in short, slow strides. It takes a little time for me to realize he's

sounding surprised. "Not even

"Of what?"

gazes at me, his face stern. "Explain

* * *

somehow easier than I thought

it never changes, never

and asks questions when

my vague connection with Sister Miriam, he stares at the ceiling in thought,

crazy as it sounds, girl, my gut's telling me this vampire's more of an ally than an

scoot a little further off the edge of my bed.

long in the tooth. But," and his eyes 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

clear, because he barks out a laugh. "Even vampires have their own politics. They're deeper and murkier than you ever want to be knee-deep in, but there is no loyalty in their blood. They don't have the sense of pack that we do. It's all power and control in

The question slips out before I