Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 198 Ava: Are You Angry With Me?

Are you angry with me?

Selene's hesitant whisper tickles in the back of my mind, even as her dog breath assaults my face.

Prying an eyelid open, I glare out the side of my eye. "I'm sleeping, Selene."

No, you're not. I can hear you thinking.

Grunting, I burrow deeper into the warmth and softness of my bed. Selene's insistent nuzzling makes it impossible, her furry body pressed against mine until I feel smothered by her heat.

"Too hot," I grumble, attempting to shove her away. But she's an immovable wall of fur and muscle.

She whimpers, resting her chin on my cheek. Her breath, evoking imagery of dog food and sardines, washes over my face. Are you angry with me, Ava?

"No, I'm not angry." I sigh, resigned to this conversation happening whether I want it to or not.

You sound angry.

I crack an eye open to peer at her. "Why are you acting like some insecure girlfriend all of a sudden?" A thought occurs to me, and I laugh. "Wait, are you learning this from those shifter shows you watch?"

Selene's ears droop a little. Well, usually when the girl does this, the guy relents and hugs her. Then they make up and everything's fine again.

Despite my annoyance, a chuckle escapes me. "Selene, life isn't a TV show. You can't just hug away all the secrets and disappointment."

So you are disappointed in me. Her blue eyes are soulful, pleading.

I sigh, reaching out to scratch behind her ears. "A little, yeah. I mean, you knew Mrs. Elkins was some kind of witch and you never told me. That's a pretty big secret to keep."

It wasn't my secret to tell, Selene protests. And besides, I'm the one who asked the Moon Goddess to reach out to her. To help you.

That catches my attention. I prop myself up on an elbow to look at her fully. "What? How?"

Selene sits up, her posture proud, ears and tail erect. Prayer, she states simply, as if it's the most obvious thing in the world.

I stare at her,

to pray to the Moon Goddess and hope she gave

Yes.

a good plan. In your head. You thought that was an actual, valid, useful

to hold the pressure of my gaze. It

"And if it didn't?"

It would have.

in bed, crossing my legs beneath the comforter. "Selene, that isn't a plan. That's

is not as rare as

you know that?" Crossing my

She allowed me to

I supposed to argue

doesn't mean she'd do

And yet she did.

my covers. "Selene, I'm too tired for this roundabout

not angry

That kibble-and-sardine breath whooshes against my nose, and I smack her

I don't have hands.

do it.

from the corner of my

Marcus.

he coughed. I'm going to kill him. Never mind that he's my

too. Oh,

going

* * *

of the book. No, not book. Tome. It's ancient and heavy, deserving of its title. Ornate silver clasps hold it closed, the

my every movement. The guard who replaced Marcus this morning stepped outside, more than willing

you going

a fingertip. "It's just... It's gorgeous,

It's a book.

Selene.

the back of my neck. You're