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."

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

to Jericho, his brow furrowed.

warning, the oddly incapacitated guards. Lucas's face darkens with

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

under his breath, "Raised an

wince at the harsh words, but I can't deny the truth in them. Lucas is letting his emotions cloud his judgment, jumping to conclusions without

his weakness when

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

eyes flashing. "How can you say that? With

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

drawing our attention. "Ava's right. We can't afford to make assumptions. We

week. Running a hand through his

in the power of the pack. Get too proud, and you'll be brought to

"Jesus, Dad, not now—"

Kellan, a low growl rumbling from his chest. "Watch your tone,

his shoulders squaring. He meets his father's gaze

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

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

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

as a sieve, and you're letting your emotions cloud your judgment. Vampires aren't like shifters. They're not

learn about them. Just throw more guards around

you suggest?" Lucas asks, his

eye. "You need to use every resource at your disposal. Including the