Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 326 Lisa: Shopping Mission (II)

LISA

The moment I step out of the car, a chill runs down my spine that has nothing to do with the temperature. Something's off.

People hurry across the parking lot, their eyes downcast and shoulders hunched. Shopping carts rattle past, piled high with bottled water and toilet paper. It's like everyone's preparing for some impending disaster.

"What's going on?"

Kellan appears at my side. "You feel it too, huh?"

I nod, watching as a mother hurries past with two small children in tow, her face pinched with worry. "This isn't normal, is it? I thought these towns were supposed to be... I don't know, untouched by everything."

He shakes his head grimly. "Looks like nowhere's really safe anymore."

Another car pulls up nearby, and I recognize some of the wolfy bodyguards from our group. Kellan leans in close, his breath warm against my ear. "They're going to gather some essentials, if there are any left."

"Good luck to them," I mutter, eyeing the frantic shoppers streaming in and out of the store.

We make our way towards the entrance, the Grand Sage and Elverly trailing behind us. It's strange to see them so subdued, their usual chatter silenced. As we pass through the sliding doors, the tension only seems to increase.

Inside, the store is a hive of barely controlled chaos. People jostle each other in the aisles, their carts overflowing with canned goods and other non-perishables. The shelves are picked clean in places, gaping holes where everyday items used to be.

"This way," I murmur, leading our small group towards the jewelry and accessories section. It's quieter here, removed from the frenzy of the grocery aisles.

The Grand Sage's eyes widen as we approach the watch displays. "Fascinating," he whispers, leaning in close to examine the various timepieces.

I point out different styles, keeping my voice low. "These are digital watches," I explain, indicating a sleek black model. "They use electronic displays to show the time. And these over here are analog watches, with traditional clock faces and moving hands."

thoughtfully. "And which would be most suitable for our purposes,

moment. "Probably digital. They're easier to modify, and the display

turning it over in his hands.

choice," I agree. "Those are designed for

to examine the watch, I can't help but glance around

decided

suffice. Now, we'll need

our section. They look different from the panicked shoppers—more

whisper, nudging him

follows my gaze, his body tensing

pick up on the change in

should go," I suggest, trying to keep the tremor out of my voice.

nods, his hand coming to rest protectively on my lower back. "Agreed. Let's make our way to

move, I catch snippets

picked up

that's

looking for something—or someone—supernatural. And

But

with the other shoppers while making our way to the

guiding us towards an

linger on the Grand Sage and Elverly, widening slightly. I hold

closer. I can feel their eyes on us, burning into my back. My palms are sweating as I

cashier says, her voice sounding unnaturally loud in my

to hurry. Every second feels like an eternity as she bags the watch

you, have a

to the exit when I hear a shout behind