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."

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

modify, and the display could potentially show messages or other

turning it over in his hands. "This one seems sturdy. Built to withstand various

I agree. "Those are designed for

examine the watch, I

decided on

this will suffice. Now, we'll need to acquire the

of people approaching our section. They look different from the panicked shoppers—more purposeful, their eyes scanning the area with a predatory intensity that makes

whisper,

his body tensing beside

Sage and Elverly pick up on the

trying to keep the tremor out of my voice. "We can figure out the rest

hand coming to rest protectively on my lower back. "Agreed. Let's make

move, I catch snippets of conversation from

picked up a

human, that's for

pulse quickens. They're looking for something—or someone—supernatural. And we fit

me. But the rest

through the aisles, trying to blend in with the other shoppers while making our way to the front of the store. The group seems to be following us, though they're trying to be subtle

us towards an

I notice the cashier giving us an odd look. Her eyes linger on the Grand Sage and Elverly, widening slightly. I hold my breath, praying she doesn't say

My palms are sweating as I place the watch on the conveyor

cashier says, her voice sounding

over the money with shaking hands, willing her to hurry. Every second feels like an eternity as she bags the watch and hands

you, have

to the exit when