Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 212

Chapter 212 Ava: The Challenge of Being Luna

Jericho's words leave me reeling. "No, he hasn't said anything." I can't keep the surprise from my voice. "But I'm aware it's not normal. How can any of this be normal?" I wave a hand over my body in frustration. "It's unknown territory for all of us, but Lucas says we can get through it together."

His eyes narrow. "Witches aren't well regarded in history. There will be pushback from those who want nothing to do with a witch, even one born from a pack."

Kellan shifts uneasily, conflict etched on his face. "Ultimately, the Westwood wolves will accept their alpha's mate." His words are confident, but his tone is not.

"If Lucas is hell-bent on forcing Ava down their throats, there will be alpha challenges." Jericho's words are a grim warning.

And he's not wrong.

Alpha challenges are a right of any wolf in the pack.

If Lucas chooses an unsuitable Luna—me—there will be outraged wolves ready to challenge his status within his pack. It's why I can't take the responsibility lightly. Why I can't take the title as my due, even when some of the guards use it for me.

I don't want to be Lucas' weakness.

I want to be his strength. His partner.

A Luna isn't just their alpha's mate; she is a leader in her own right.

"I've never wanted to become Luna until the pack accepts me. That doesn't change."

Jericho's expression softens slightly. "I'm not trying to hurt your feelings, Ava. But I need to know if you're willing to fight for your place in the pack despite all odds."

"Jericho, stop borrowing trouble," Kellan interjects, but Jericho rounds on him.

"We wolves are superstitious and loyal to our lore. With everything going on and the increase in vampire presence, a witch won't be looked at kindly."

"Why would it be a problem when wolves once worked with witches? They called them magicians." I can't hide my confusion at the history I've learned from Selene.

Jericho shakes his head. "I've never learned of witches working with wolves, only of those who wished to gain control over humans and wolves."

Glancing at Selene, I ask, "How do vampires see witches?"

Jericho's admission hangs heavy in the air. "The Unregistered communities have been around

either of you ever been there?" I ask,

lost several scouts trying to learn more about

I'll enter the city? "How much does Steve know about the Unregistered city? She seems familiar with it, even calls it

she has no

"That doesn't mean she doesn't know anything. It's just that she doesn't want to give

concedes after

Steve." I'm talking to Kellan, but Jericho interrupts again, bringing us back

fight for

his gaze unflinchingly. "I will never give up my

will you do if you have to choose between your magic and your

no hesitation

interfering. This isn't

concern of every wolf in the pack." Jericho's voice is steel. "I need to know that the Luna will work for the pack over all others. No Alpha and no Luna can lead a

gut, a disquiet I can't

learned my lesson. I want to fight with all of you. I want to keep

Kellan says, but

to stand by it when the

* * *

It's a different kind of silence to our normal, and Kellan seems distracted

challenges if Lucas announces me as his Luna."

toward me out of the side of his eye, before returning

Jericho's always seemed to have

once a beta who followed his alpha's orders blindly. Unfortunately, he ended up causing the deaths of the previous pack leaders, Lucas' parents. Ever since, he's been hip-deep in conspiracy theories,

"How did they die?"

steering wheel. "That's for Lucas to share, when he's

say, "It isn't like it's a

at me, his gray eyes unreadable. "You sure you'll get the actual truth that

Selene murmurs in my mind. Somehow, her

even know the official story," I mutter, rubbing my temples. The more I learn about Westwood, the more

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