Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 344 Ava: She's Grown -- END SEASON FIVE!!

My palm itches as I walk through our compound. It's quiet again, reminding me of the first day Marcus, Vanessa, and I rolled in.

The attacks have probably brought up plenty of unresolved trauma, but the lost lives and wounded are the main source of our bottomed out morale once again.

Yes, we defended our home—but at what cost?

The energy here is strange. We should be high with Lucas' show of power, and instead we're all hiding again.

I spot Wes up ahead and raise my hand to wave, a smile already forming on my lips. But as our eyes meet, his widen and he's gone, darting behind a nearby cabin.

"Wes?" I step in his direction with some hesitation.

Many wolves aren't sure what to make of what they witnessed the night of the attack. They are scared of your power.

The night I wielded magic like some kind of supernatural warrior, decapitating vampires with energy blades? Yeah, I can see how that might have people feeling some kind of way.

Sighing, I change course and head toward the kitchens, now paying attention to the body language of the wolves I encounter. Their gazes slide away from mine. Some are outright avoiding me.

Someone carrying a stack of firewood nearly stumbles as he hurries past, careful not to brush against me.

"This is ridiculous," I mutter under my breath. "I saved their lives."

You also scared them, Selene points out. Power like yours isn't something they're used to seeing, especially not from someone they considered... well...

"Weak?"

I was going to say 'human', Selene corrects me. But yes, that too.

I reach the kitchen entrance and pause, taking a deep breath. The scent of fresh bread wafts out, reminding me why I came here in the first place. Food. Focus on that, not on awkward social dynamics.

inside, the bustling activity doesn't stop, but it shifts—pardon

large pot of stew—which has become our standard fare as the weather continues to

to table with efficiency. She has several bowls and trays stacked when she stops in

Lisa ever made her

to greet me. I know my magic is strange. Jericho even warned me a long time ago that

have a great reputation. Among humans or wolves… Even though our history

one thing I've learned since leaving Blackwood, it's that real

a smile, trying to ignore the way everyone seems to hold their breath. "Just came to see how our supplies are holding up. And maybe grab a snack, if there's

comes back with a small loaf of bread and a wedge of cheese. "Here you are. We're doing alright on basics, but fresh produce is running low.

can

"Thanks, Elverly."

over in my hands, ready to

to make

pivot and approach Mary, the young wolf stirring the stew. Her eyes widen as I near, and I'm

have a bowl of stew, please?" I

I'm not a threat. I'm just your Luna, who

I kidding?

her hands shaking as she ladles the steaming liquid into a bowl. She almost drops it twice before managing to hand

you," I say, offering her a warm smile as I

leave, Mary's voice, small but

for saving

the ice that had formed around my heart. I look back at her, realizing what I saw as fear was

not terrified of

She's just beside herself.

glitter with an entire galaxy of stars as she stares at

from their tables. One by

owe you our lives,