Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 320 Ava: A Stronger Bond Than Before

Soon, Grimoire assures me.

Great.

Selene sets her paw on the golden wolf's head, shoving it down while she rubs her head against my hand.

"Jealous?" I ask her in amusement.

Why would I be jealous? she asks, even as she wiggles her way between us.

Unlike with Lucas, she isn't trying to share affection with the golden wolf. It's me she wants to snuggle against.

I guess she still doesn't have a full connection with his wolf.

No, she agrees shortly.

As Kellan and Lisa approach, the golden wolf lets out a low, menacing growl in warning. Selene, ever protective, sits up abruptly and snarls back. He immediately cowers in response.

Kellan's voice cuts through the tension. "It might be best to keep him in here. Not everyone's seen their Alpha's new form."

The pack is already on edge; seeing their Alpha in an unfamiliar state could cause more unrest. He's taking it in stride, but maybe he's already seen it before.

Selene's agreement comes with an unexpected caveat. It wouldn't be good for them to see their Alpha wolf submitting to me, either. Unless... Her piercing gaze falls on me. Unless you wish to become Alpha yourself.

Me? Alpha? The very thought sends a jolt of panic through my system.

"No. Absolutely not. No way."

me. I've never wanted that kind of power or responsibility.

Lucas' wolf squeezes past Selene. He bumps his massive head against my shoulder, whining

I can feel her conflicted emotions through our bond—protective, jealous, and yet somehow

her. She reaches out tentatively, her hand hovering over Lucas' golden fur. To my

first woke up," Lisa says, her voice barely above a whisper. "Like all the air

was his alpha presence. It's always hard for humans to take, especially when it's unleashed

still absently stroking Lucas' fur. "Wolf business is way too complicated for

coloring my voice. I've been so wrapped up in my own drama that I haven't had a chance to really check in

her expression carefully neutral.

know my best friend.

sure how I'd manage it with Lucas in

quickly. "No, no. You need to focus on your mate." She gestures to the golden wolf still pressed

here okay? How about the gnomes? Are they doing okay, too?" I need to be more present in pack life and learn about everything. I've spent all my time in

excuse of being newly mated means no one expects to see

device. He's

is news to me. "That's fascinating. Does he think he can do

but says there's a lot of things to work through. He wants to go to a local human city so we can buy a few watches to

of surprise and concern. "This is the first I'm

look a bit sheepish. "We haven't brought it up to you yet.

worry ignites in my chest. I turn to Kellan, searching his face for any sign of how he feels about this. "How safe would it be to do something like that? Going so far out

"It's probably safe, but I can't guarantee it. Nothing's certain these days. Still,

he considers the possibilities. After a moment, he adds, "I could bring along a

over me. "That's a

"More guards, right?" But her tone is

both once so angry and frustrated to have guards shadowing our every

to insist on going with her. The thought of Lisa venturing out into the human world, even with protection, sends