Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 188 Ava: Mom's Legacy (I)

Two days later, I'm back at Blackwood, with a few changes.

Like Jericho, and an entire security detail under his charge.

And Kellan, who seems like he'd rather eat shards of glass than be in his father's presence.

All the new bodyguards are older wolves, with scars and a grim look in their eyes. Once retired, and brought back for my benefit.

Selene approves of all of them, saying their wolves all reached out to her.

Every single one of them is an upgrade from Tall Asshole—sorry, Alex—and Jason.

While these shifters must have a bad opinion of me as well, they don't act like it. They treat me with complete professionalism.

It's odd that they're retired, considering how quickly they've jumped back into their roles. None of them seem old enough to have left active lifestyles behind.

I settle into Lucas' room at the alpha lodge, surprised by how comfortable it feels despite my last stay being so brief. The familiarity washes over me as I unpack my meager belongings once again.

One of the guards, a grizzled shifter with a head full of gray hair that belies his muscular build, stands sentinel in the corner, while two more keep watch outside the door.

Because Sister Miriam entered my room before, they're not leaving me alone anymore.

It's unnerving, but I swallow the instinctive frustration at my lack of privacy.

The last time I fought back, people died.

My privacy isn't worth more lives.

You seem at ease here, Selene observes, her voice tinged with curiosity. She lounges on the bed, her icy blue eyes fixed on me as I put my clothes into the dresser.

I pause, considering her words. With the guards already knowing Selene is my wolf (and despite the mild panic I feel at having her secret known by even more people), I'm free to converse with her as I please.

It really helps with that stuck in a gilded cage feeling. Especially because I know I can switch guards with a single word to Jericho. Having a little power over the situation really makes a difference, and I hate that I never considered asking for something like this the first time.

strange, isn't it? Considering everything

Weren't you comfortable

catches me off guard. I chew on my lower lip, mulling over my response. "No," I admit.

Selene presses,

the tip of my nose, I glance around the room, taking in the dark interior once

I should feel so comfortable here. This building once housed Alpha Renard and

begun under the

yet, a part of

Like I belong here.

because I miss it here, no matter how terrible it was. I was born and raised here,

acknowledgement in

glance at her, wondering how long this subdued version of my companion

dresser drawer. My voice is soft, tentative. The last thing I want is to push

flick to mine. I don't know, she admits, her voice a whisper in my

the guard, I offer him a small smile. "Would you mind stepping

I can see the hesitation in his

of my

warns, his voice gruff. "Every five

course," I agree readily. "I

the door

the rest

her furry body against my leg. She doesn't move away, which I take

I ask, my voice barely

are missing, she confesses. Or they're

missing memories before, but I didn't follow up—too

admit, reaching out to stroke her fur. She leans into my touch, and

was allowed to keep them, Selene explains, her voice distant, as if she's lost in thought. In exchange

vows could a wolf make? And

mind, but I don't voice them all. Not yet. Selene is opening up,

of vows?" I ask instead,

my hand. I can't remember, she admits, frustration lacing her voice. That's the problem. I know I made them,