Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 184 Ava: What Are You Going to Do About It?

Staring at Jericho, I don't know how to respond.

The idea that I might cause more deaths moving forward is so horrifying, it's paralyzing.

That's not something I ever want to happen again.

"You have a long way to go yet before you can claim that spot by the alpha's side. Sit up straight, girl." Jericho's finger jabs the air, pointing right at me. "Why are you wallowing in fear instead of forging forward?"

My mind goes blank. No words come to my defense, no clever retorts or explanations. Just... nothing, too surprised by the confrontation, too confused on where he's trying to go with his words.

"I came back to see the rites—"

He slaps his thigh with a groan that sounds like it comes from the depths of his soul. "Is this the future of the Westwood Pack? We've gone too soft on a future Luna, I see."

My spine stiffens at that, a spark of indignation flaring to life. But before I can grasp onto it, Jericho's voice cracks through the room like a whip.

"You killed eighteen people. Nearly twenty more are still in the hospital, healing. Yeah? So what?"

Horror floods through me, dousing that tiny ember of defiance. "You shouldn't treat their lives so lightly," I whisper. "They would still be alive if…"

Jericho roars, the sound ricocheting off the walls, and I flinch from its volume. "I'm not taking them lightly! I'm asking you—" he leans forward, his eyes blazing, "—what are you going to do about it? Stop acting like a mouse and act like a wolf!"

My heart hammers against my ribs. What does he want me to say? That I'm sorry? That I'll do better? The words tangle on my tongue, trapped behind the lump in my throat.

know that's not what

He's looking for more.

waits, his gaze unwavering, demanding

hard, forcing myself to meet his eyes. "I... I want to become strong enough to stand legitimately beside Lucas. Save my friend. Save this pack. I don't want to cower behind any of

want to be stronger than

at me, his expression unreadable. Then, slowly, he nods.

floods through me, so intense it leaves me lightheaded. But before I

talked to

my head around to stare at

"Wolves have no business

sense of this new information. Jericho's wolf talked

demand, my voice cracking with

the demon of Westwood's training center. He knows much. He

handle living on pack lands. Never heard a wolf outside of us, but strange

window ledge, the leather of his jacket creaking as he leans against the frame. His gaze, sharp as a blade, cuts through the glass to the world outside. The lines etched into his weathered face seem to deepen as he turns to me, a grimness in his

His voice is low, gruff, the words scraping against

together in my lap. "Yes,

more contemplative than dismissive. "Do you

know," I admit, the words bitter on my tongue. "But she's the only one who seems to have any idea what's going on

back to the window. "She assumes you'll be entering the Unregistered

a question, but a