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.

suppose I am. It's strange,

you

lower lip, mulling over my response. "No," I admit. "It didn't feel like

Selene presses, her gaze

nose, I glance around the room, taking in

housed Alpha Renard and his most trusted cronies. How many devious plans were decided upon

horrors have begun under the

a part of

Like I belong here.

here, no matter how terrible it

wordless acknowledgement in

long this subdued version of my companion will persist. Vanessa's words seem to have really messed with her; the impact they've had is out of the

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

flick to mine. I don't know, she admits, her voice

"Would you mind stepping outside for a bit? Maybe twenty minutes or

I can see

I'm also in charge of my

he warns,

course," I agree readily. "I appreciate

the door behind him with

my unpacking, leaving the rest for later.

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

wrong?" I ask, my voice

confesses. Or they're murky, unclear. But I know they were once vivid. I could recall

before, but I didn't follow up—too busy in

don't really get it," I admit, reaching out to stroke her fur. She leans into my touch, and I feel a flicker of comfort through our bond.

explains, her voice distant, as if she's lost in thought.

kind of vows could a wolf

Not yet. Selene is opening up, and I don't want to overwhelm her with

kind of vows?" I ask instead, keeping my

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