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."

nod, a wordless exchange passing between them. They're both stiff and standoffish, staying distant from

turns to Jericho, his brow furrowed.

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

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

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

the truth in them. Lucas is

be his

for sure," I say softly, reaching for Lucas's hand. "Sister Miriam's motives are unclear, but I don't think she means

"How

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 our enemy. She's

right. We can't

drains out of Lucas, and his shoulders sag a little beneath the weight of this past week. Running a hand through his hair, he growls, "I know. I just—fuck. These damn bloodsuckers keep coming onto my lands, and

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

"Jesus, Dad, not now—"

lip curls as he eyes Kellan, a low growl rumbling

their wolves bristling beneath the surface as Kellan stiffens, his shoulders squaring. He meets his father's gaze head-on, and dominance radiates

he commands, his voice ringing with authority. "We don't have time

down, 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

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

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.

powers, and you do nothing to learn about them. Just throw more

what do you suggest?" Lucas asks, his

eye. "You need to use