Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 189 Ava: Mom's Legacy (II)

Rubbing Selene's head, my own spins when trying to understand the things she's saying.

Honestly, it's no wonder she's been so subdued.

There are things that clash within me, she says, resting her head on her paws.

"Like what?"

Her eyes roll in my direction. Like my past as Lycan Queen. I remember that I ruled, but I don't remember how. I fear I will not be able to guide you along as a Luna as well as I once thought I would.

"Does it matter? We can learn together." Trying to soothe her worries, I run both my hands down her spine, giving her a little dog massage. She seems to enjoy it, because she nuzzles a little deeper into the bed, stretching out her legs.

I want to help you, but it's fuzzy. I hate it.

There's a little worry in my head, like this is some portent of some future danger. But how? It's a few missing memories. When you're a soul from the past transplanted into a modern day dog, there's bound to be some weird things that happen, right?

I don't know. I've never done it before.

She sounds miserable, so I rub a little harder. "You'll be okay. I don't need you to be overly wise. I just need you to be you. We can figure out all the growing pains as we go."

Selene's tail wags a little as she flops onto her back, paws flailing in the air. A soft whine escapes her throat, her eyes pleading with me to rub her belly. I can't help but chuckle at the sight.

For all her wisdom and cryptic warnings, and the soul of a Lycan within, she's still a dog where it matters.

A little to the left, she instructs, her voice echoing in my mind. No, no, back to the right. Ah, perfect.

My fingers find the spot she's indicating, and I scratch it vigorously. Her hind leg starts thumping against the bed in a steady rhythm, a sign of pure canine bliss.

A sharp knock at the door interrupts our bonding moment. Three precise raps, followed by the creak of the door as it inches open.

head in, just as promised, his eyes scanning the interior with a practiced

okay in here, ma'am?" he asks, his voice

give him a nod in

in his eyes. "Very good, ma'am. I'll be right outside if you need anything.

to withdraw, but I call out to him. "Wait, what's your name? I'm sorry,

pauses, raising one weathered brow, surprised by the question. "It's Marcus, ma'am. Marcus

Marcus. I

"Just doing my job, ma'am." With that, he closes the door, leaving me alone with

dog, I stand up and stretch. Selene rolls back onto

embarrassed, she says. It's good for you to relax

I should finish unpacking. We might be here for

say Vanessa wouldn't be here until dinnertime? Let's

shows. She hasn't watched them much

breathe since then, and I've spent most of my time pacing around, wondering how to

too closely, clinging to Sister Miriam's words that

there's not much I can do without a lot of help. And all that help requires time for them to figure things out. So I'm doing my best to leave Lisa in Lucas' capable hands, trusting him to save her, while I do my

the more time will be wasted

me put everything away, and you can watch something while I order dinner. Jericho said he wanted to talk to us about a few

talking to the guards about you being

Fatter?!

sure how

he was talking about your fat-to-muscle

figured

sound

"It sounds pretty derogatory."

don't think he meant it

"I'm sure he didn't."

front of the

I look