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."

them. They're both stiff and

to Jericho, his brow furrowed.

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

we couldn't trust her," he snarls, pacing the room like a caged predator.

under his breath, "Raised an impulsive beast, I

at the harsh words, but I can't deny the truth in them. Lucas is

to be his weakness when

I say softly, reaching for Lucas's hand.

flashing. "How can you say that? With this

she hasn't," I argue, my voice gaining strength. "She's cryptic

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

of Lucas, and his shoulders sag a little beneath the weight of this past week. Running a hand through his hair, he growls, "I

"I've told you both a thousand times, never become complacent in the power of the pack. Get too proud, and

"Jesus, Dad, not now—"

Kellan, a low growl rumbling from his chest.

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

his own power flaring to life. "Enough," he commands, his voice ringing with authority. "We

but the animosity lingers, simmering just beneath the surface. One day, I'll learn more about this history between them, but now isn't the

brow furrowed. "What do you mean, we're

scoffs, shaking his head. "High alert? You call this high alert? Your borders are as porous as a sieve, and

you do nothing to learn about them. Just throw more

do you suggest?" Lucas

calculating gleam in his eye. "You need to use every resource at your disposal. Including the ones you're not