Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 214 Ava: Dressing for Danger

Lucas doesn't answer Kellan's text, or my phone call.

Probably busy again with the Council.

Stretching, I test the range of motion in the lightweight tactical clothing Kellan provided. The fabric is breathable, but I'm already sweating beneath the impact-resistant layer in the shirt. A knife rests heavy on my belt, and the boots feel stiff, promising blisters if I have to run for my life. But of course the beta insisted, so here I am, trussed up like an operative minus the arsenal.

The bodyguards have all ditched their suits for similar getups, though several sport guns on their hips. I turn to Marcus, brow raised. "Why don't I get a gun?"

He barely glances my way. "A gun in untrained hands is just asking for trouble."

I purse my lips but concede his point with silence. Using it would require an instruction manual, and there's no time for that in an emergency.

Still seems like something I should probably learn, considering that my physical prowess is much worse than the average shifter.

The door swings open and I blink in surprise as Vanessa strides in, kitted out like some special ops soldier. She catches my stare and explains, "Jericho updated me."

Something in her gaze gives me pause. Is that pride? Whatever it is, I shift uncomfortably under the unexpected approval. "Why are you looking at me like that?"

Vanessa's lips quirk. "Lately, you've seemed paralyzed by indecision, scared to make the wrong move. I'm glad to see you've found your confidence again."

A humorless laugh escapes me. Confidence? I'm trembling in my boots. Literally. "I'm not confident at all. I'm constantly second-guessing myself, wondering what the right call is."

Vanessa steps closer, her voice low and intense. "Stop admitting that. Everyone needs their leaders to project confidence, even if it's an act."

whispers reminding me of all the ways I could fail. All the lives I'm risking with every choice.

chin. Fake it 'til you make it, right? I meet Vanessa's gaze,

wavering." The words taste like ash on my tongue, but I force them out anyway. "It's

something like satisfaction flickering across her face. "Well, we'll be behind you, in case anything happens." Holding out her hand, I notice that

"Thanks."

and buckles of my gear, testing the fit with an intensity that borders on invasive. I squirm under his scrutiny, biting back a yelp when he

to kill me," I grumble, flexing my toes against the rigid

can cut

mutter under my breath, "It's not about how they look. I just

to my back that nearly sends me stumbling. I shoot him a scowl, but he's already motioning to two other

be coming with us. Remember, if I tell you to jump, you

faces from the constant rotation of suited figures that shadow my every move. It's strange, finally putting names

to a fault, and I wonder if

Probably not.

of these kinds

open, and Kellan strides in, his gaze sweeping over us in a silent inspection. I stand a

into mine with an intensity that steals my breath. "Be careful

feels. "Careful? Always. Besides, it'll be weird not having you around. We

serious. "I mean it, Ava. Be careful. Stay with your guards at all

Selene chimes in, slinking to my side. This time, I'm not leaving your

I nod. "I will.

longer, searching for something, before stepping back with a sharp nod. "Good. Make sure to keep your phone on