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."

greets his father with a cool nod, a wordless exchange passing between them. They're both stiff and standoffish,

Jericho, his brow furrowed. "What

appearance, her cryptic warning, the oddly incapacitated guards.

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

breath, "Raised an impulsive beast,

wince at the harsh words, but I can't deny the truth in them. Lucas is letting his emotions cloud his judgment, jumping

his weakness when

sure," I say softly, reaching for Lucas's hand. "Sister Miriam's motives are unclear, but I

flashing. "How

she hasn't," I argue, my voice gaining strength. "She's cryptic and frustrating, but I don't believe she's

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

past week. Running a hand through his hair, he growls, "I know. I just—fuck. These damn bloodsuckers keep coming onto my

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

"Jesus, Dad, not now—"

as he eyes Kellan, a low growl rumbling from his chest. "Watch

Kellan stiffens, his shoulders squaring. He meets his father's gaze head-on, and dominance radiates off them

own power flaring to life. "Enough," he commands, his voice

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

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

Your borders are as porous as a sieve, and you're letting your

you do nothing to learn about them. Just

you suggest?" Lucas asks,

calculating gleam in his eye. "You need to use every resource at your disposal. Including the ones you're