Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 197 Ava: Do You Believe in the Moon Goddess?

"I don't understand. How did you know about the necklace? And this book? How did you get here?"

"Ah, yes." Mrs. Elkins sighs, reaching over to pat my hand in a familiar gesture. "Do you believe in prophetic dreaming?"

Vanessa steps forward now, her voice pitched high with incredulity. "Are you a clairvoyant, ma'am?"

"No, dear." Mrs. Elkins gives Vanessa one of her warm smiles. "But some dreams mean something. Do you believe in your Moon Goddess, child?"

The guards' growls fill the air, a group offense at being questioned on their faith.

Vanessa's stern look silences them. She turns to Mrs. Elkins, her voice soft yet resolute. "I do believe in the Moon Goddess, yes."

Mrs. Elkins reaches for Vanessa's hand, and though bewilderment flickers across Vanessa's face, she allows the contact. The old lady's eyes crinkle with warmth as she clasps Vanessa's hand in her arthritic fingers. "I'm so grateful Ava has found a friend. She was far too lonely in Cedarwood."

Her words tug at my heart, reminding me how grateful I am to have Vanessa in my corner. But Mrs. Elkins continues, her voice taking on a dreamlike quality.

"I've had strange dreams this year. One of a lonely witch, hunted by wolves." Her gaze meets mine, and I feel a jolt of recognition. "I had the same feeling when I met you, Ava. I felt drawn to help, considering the history of witches."

Her explanation of the eradication of witches makes sense now—why she'd started to answer my questions with a history lesson. "I see."

"After you disappeared, the dreams stopped. For a long time. Until recently." She pauses, her expression serene. "I dreamed of the Moon Goddess asking for my help. And when I accepted, I woke up here. In this garden."

Her words hang in the air, defying logic. How can she be so calm, so unfazed by such an outlandish claim? As if the Moon Goddess visits people in their dreams.

And yet—here she is.

Her words are truth.

and every guard studies Mrs. Elkins with both wonder and suspicion. There's

experiences?" one of them asks, his

dear. Never before. But when

stride? How can she have such blind belief? My instinctive reaction to

of blessing, something she accepts without gripe

Elkins squeezes Vanessa's hand before letting go. "Interventions like this, they're rare these days. But in

and goddesses

in person. There are old stories

leg and I glance down at her, finding comfort

your heritage. I wish I could help more, but alas," and she points to the book in my lap, "I only have what has been passed down to

feels foreign, heavy with implications I'm not ready to face. The only heritage I've ever

like being invited into a new family.

and I feel a spark of something—anticipation,

Elkins is right, and the Moon Goddess

Why not earlier?

before

answer, either,

her grasp warm and loving, leaving me aching for those memories of life in Cedarwood. "Everything happens for a reason, Ava. You're meant

You chose your pack and your mate. This is

a little. Didn't you tell me I

does when I catch her in little logical loops. That was before. This is a direct

in Cedarwood… My life would be different?

Yes. Fate is fluid.