Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 279 Ava: Best Friends Together Again

"Lisa?" I call out. "It's safe to come out now. I've banished the big bad wolf."

A muffled curse comes from the direction of my bedroom, followed by the sound of shuffling feet. Lisa appears in the doorway, wrapped in a towel, her wet hair dripping onto the shoulders.

"Is he really gone?" she asks, peering around me suspiciously.

I nod. "He's outside. I told him to give you some space."

Lisa's shoulders relax, and she pads over to the couch, sinking into it with a heavy sigh. "Thank God. I thought he was going to break down the bathroom door. I had to kick him out because he kept peeking in to make sure I was okay. While showering."

"Yes, I'm not surprised." I toss a few things at her to wear. Shirt, pants, underwear. "These aren't fancy, but none of us got to bring our wardrobe."

"I never realized what a luxury clothes are," Lisa agrees, unperturbed by the mismatched and style-less choices, hopping into the bathroom to get dressed. "Do you happen to have a hair dryer?"

"Nope."

"Damn. Oh, well."

Lisa emerges from the bathroom, striking an exaggerated pose in the oversized clothes I've given her. The baggy fabric hangs off her frame, accentuating how thin she's become.

"How do I look?" she asks, her voice playful but strained.

My heart clenches painfully in my chest. "Fabulous as always," I manage, forcing a smile. "You could make a potato sack look good."

is a shadow of its former self, but it's there. She flops onto the couch, and I join her, our shoulders touching. For a moment, we just sit

really doing?" I ask softly, turning

years older. "I don't want to think about it right now, if that's okay." She reaches for my hand, squeezing it tightly. "Can we just focus on the fact that I'm here? With you?

vision blurring with unshed tears. "Lisa, I'm so sorry. I

no," Lisa interrupts, her voice gentle. "Don't do

you were, and then we did, but we were powerless

felt like I was betraying you, but

to explain. I get it, okay?

was with you every step of the way, whining and complaining. I'm the one that

I want to say, so many questions I want to ask,

clasped, lost in our

"So, do

have to let Kellan in. He's been feeding and watering

A grin flashes across her face. "Though the food is always

"Still, he orders it."

remembers that

"And olives."

and adds

grin. "Sounds like you aren't too unhappy with how things

was just standing there, and then this giant wolf comes

finally realize

me, Ava. Not a peck. Not a smooch. He just grabbed me like

resting my chin on