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."

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

I ask softly, turning to face

by a weariness that makes her look 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

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

her voice gentle. "Don't do that

we did, but we were powerless to save you immediately, and then... then there was the funeral, too." My stomach churns at the memory. "All those shifters who died, I had to... I had to

was betraying you, but

stop. You don't need to explain. I get it, okay? I

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

so much I want to say, so many questions I want to ask, but I can't bring

hands clasped,

Lisa says, "So, do you have any

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

across her face. "Though

"Still, he orders it."

remembers that I hate

"And olives."

adds

"Sounds like you aren't too unhappy

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 other wolves don't even

I finally realize

room, and lowers her voice to hiss, "He kissed me, Ava. Not a peck. Not a smooch. He just grabbed me like this—" she moves

resting my chin on my hand. "Was it