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."

flops onto the couch, and I join her, our

I ask softly, turning to

"I don't want to think about it right now, if that's okay." She reaches

vision blurring with unshed tears. "Lisa, I'm so sorry. I tried to find you, I swear

interrupts, her voice gentle.

then we did, but we were powerless to save you immediately, and then... then there

like I was betraying

explain. I

should be apologizing, it's me. I was with you every step of the way, whining and complaining. I'm the one

lapse into silence. There's so much I want to say, so many questions I want to ask, but I can't bring myself to

clasped, lost

do you have any coffee

"I think so, but we'd have to let Kellan in. He's been feeding

that." A grin flashes across her face. "Though the food

"Still, he orders it."

that I

"And olives."

adds extra

too unhappy with

happiness on her face disappears abruptly. "No. What the fuck, Ava. You don't understand. I was just standing there, and then this giant wolf comes out of nowhere growling and ready to tear us apart. All the

I finally realize it's Kellan, but

even though we're the only ones in the room, and lowers her voice to hiss, "He kissed me, Ava. Not a peck. Not a smooch. He just grabbed me

lean forward, resting my chin on my hand. "Was it good,