Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 185 Ava: Can't Sacrifice the Pack for One Person

"I don't mind sacrificing my life for Lisa's. But I can't sacrifice this pack for her. I'm struggling to know how to juggle these feelings."

The truth has my shoulders sagging, but he only nods.

"Responsibility will always be a shackle to your decisions. It's a good lesson to learn."

"Better if I'd learned it before lives were lost," I mutter, full of self-deprecation.

"Sit up straight," Jericho snaps, his voice cracking like a whip. "Feeling sorry for yourself doesn't help anyone."

My spine stiffens even as I flinch, scrambling to obey the older wolf before my brain catches up to his demands.

Training is a scary thing.

Selene's ears perk up, and his head swivels toward the door. A few seconds later, I hear the thud of approaching footsteps. Jericho grunts, "That alpha sure took his sweet time."

The door bursts open, and Lucas strides in, Kellan at his heels.

Lucas's amber eyes lock onto me, wild and desperate, and he rushes to my side. His hands skim over my arms, my face, as if reassuring himself I'm unharmed.

"Are you okay? Did the vampire hurt you?" His words tumble out in a frantic rush, even though I'm sure he's been informed of my safety several times.

"I'm fine," I assure him, catching his hands in mine. "Nothing even happened to me."

a cool nod, a wordless exchange passing between them. They're both stiff and standoffish, staying distant from each other, tension all

his

in clipped tones—Sister Miriam's appearance, her cryptic warning, the oddly incapacitated guards. Lucas's face

snarls, pacing the room like a caged predator. "She's

mutters under his breath, "Raised an impulsive beast, I

I can't deny the truth in them. Lucas is

to be his weakness

I say softly, reaching for Lucas's hand. "Sister Miriam's

whirls on me, his eyes flashing. "How can you

she's had plenty of opportunities to hurt me, but she hasn't," I argue, my voice gaining strength. "She's cryptic and frustrating, but I don't believe she's

his throat, drawing our attention. "Ava's right. We can't afford to make assumptions. We need more information before we

beneath the weight of this past week. Running a hand through his

never become complacent in the power of the pack. Get too proud,

"Jesus, Dad, not now—"

Kellan, a low growl rumbling from his

bristling beneath the surface as Kellan stiffens, his shoulders squaring. He meets

steps between them, his own power flaring to life. "Enough," he commands, his voice ringing with authority. "We don't have time

animosity lingers, simmering just beneath the surface. One day, I'll learn more about this history between

brow furrowed. "What do you mean, we're too complacent? We've been on high

shaking his head. "High alert? You call this high alert? Your borders are as porous as a sieve, and you're letting your emotions cloud your judgment. Vampires aren't

nothing to learn about them.

what do you suggest?" Lucas

to use every resource at