Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 355 Ava: Wes' Concerns

Wes comes to an abrupt stop a few feet from me, breathing heavily from his run. "Hi, Luna."

He avoided me for months after the vampire incident, apparently suffering from a severe case of hero worship. Once I finally cornered him and told him to treat me like normal, we've regained a new status quo.

One where he stares at me with stars in his eyes, and I try really, really hard not to notice.

The hero worship has yet to wane. He's absolutely fascinated with the fact that his Luna can wield magic. Most of the younger wolves are. Some of the older ones aren't thrilled, but the overwhelming response has been in my favor, effectively keeping them quiet.

Oh, there are whispers. And those whispers are routed to Lucas' ears.

I know they exist, but I refuse to know what people are saying. As Selene and Vanessa have both pointed out, my self-esteem can be deflated with a single pin.

It's a work in progress.

"What are you doing, Wes?" Judging from his flushed cheeks and how he was running across the compound, I'd guess he's on some sort of errand. The younger wolves have really stepped up lately. Many of them even help gather firewood.

Wes grimaces before smoothing his expression into careful neutrality. "I was tasked with helping the Aspen wolves settle in, Luna."

His attitude catches my attention immediately. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing's wrong," Wes replies, his gaze fixed somewhere over my left shoulder, avoiding mine.

eyes, channeling every ounce of stern Luna energy I can muster. It's not much, considering I still feel like an imposter most days, but I give

radiates just a touch of her power. It's enough to make Wes' shoulders slump

like the Aspen wolves," he admits in

expeditions. They've

not?" I probe gently. "They've been

features twisting in distaste. "They all think Ivy's a better Luna candidate. And they think Alpha Lucas is

bond. I reach out to tug at her ears, a

don't feel. Inside, irritation flares hot and bright. It's an emotion I've become all too familiar with

do you think those rumors came from?

Such things can't be proven. Even though the same damn thoughts

Exactly.

Wes protests, his eyes

are just

sound hollow even to

brows pull together, and I can almost see the gears turning in

say firmly. "Alpha Lucas and I are mates. I'm his only mate, and I'm the Luna of

but I can tell he's not entirely reassured. "I just don't want anything to happen to you, Luna," he mumbles, a faint blush coloring his cheeks. "We're all loyal to you. A lot of us feel really bad for how we treated you before. You've been amazing. More than amazing. You're an angel to

tugs at my heart, even through the awkward singing of my praises. "Nothing's going to happen to me, Wes.

as though he wants to believe me, but can't. Then he shuffles his feet, clearly uncomfortable. "I guess I should get back to helping them out," he says reluctantly. "The new wolves

hope looks more genuine than it feels. "Thank you for telling me about this, Wes. And remember, if you hear anything else, you