Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 319 Ava: Wolf vs Husky

A soft thud draws my attention for a split second. Lisa's crumpled to the floor, her face pale and eyes wide with fear, gasping for oxygen. An alpha's presence is too much for humans.

Kellan is at her side in an instant, shielding her with his body while keeping a wary eye on Lucas. "Be careful, Luna. That's not Lucas right now. That's pure wolf."

I know he's right. The man I love is nowhere to be seen in those wild eyes. This is something primal, dangerous. Yet I can't bring myself to be afraid. The mate bond pulses between us, stronger than ever before. It tugs at me, urging me closer even as every instinct screams to keep my distance.

Selene's growl deepens, drawing Lucas' attention. His head snaps towards her, lips curling back to reveal elongated canines. The tension in the room ratchets up another notch as Lucas shifts.

In mere seconds, where my mate once stood, a massive wolf now looms. My breath catches in my throat as I take in his new form. This isn't the Lucas I remember.

His fur gleams like spun gold, an ethereal glow emanating from each strand. He's enormous, dwarfing Selene in a way that makes my stomach clench with worry.

Before I can voice my doubts, Lucas lunges at Selene. The room erupts into chaos as the two wolves clash, snarls and growls filling the air.

Out of the corner of my eye, I see Kellan react swiftly. He grabs Lisa, shoving her between himself and the wall, shielding her from the fray. The protective gesture would be touching if I weren't so terrified for Selene.

heart pounds as I

Then, something shifts.

if burned. He shakes himself, looking disoriented, while Selene struggles to her feet. She's limping and hurt, but her presence in my

she's thinking. What she's feeling, as

Lucas again. This time, though, the fight is different. Selene's presence continues to pulse through the room, and I can see its effect on Lucas. His movements become less certain, his attacks less

sheer force of her will. I watch in awe as my small, silver husky holds her own against the golden

his senses, Grimoire remarks calmly, as though everything's been under his control this entire time. Her presence

of my mate and my wolf locked in such a violent struggle tears at my soul. I want to intervene, to protect them both, but I

and tuck between his legs. The change is so abrupt it takes me a moment to process. Gone are the

opportunity, surges forward. She pins Lucas to the ground, her teeth nipping at his face and ears. It's not the vicious attack from before, but a display of dominance. My wolf is asserting herself, and to my amazement, Lucas

slowly lowers himself to the ground in submission. The sight of such a powerful alpha yielding to my Selene is both awe-inspiring and slightly unnerving. Selene, panting from exertion, lays atop him, her eyes meeting mine with an

smile from tugging at my lips. Despite the tension still thrumming through my body, pride swells

draw nearer, Lucas' nose twitches. He begins sniffing frantically, his nostrils flaring as he catches my scent. The change in him is immediate and startling. He pokes his head out from beneath Selene, whining and whimpering in my direction. His paws scrabble against the floor as he tries to

a quick, sharp reprimand. Lucas settles instantly, but the whining

head. He's in there somewhere, but right