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.

my eyes, channeling every ounce of stern Luna energy I can muster. It's not much, considering I still

her power. It's enough to make Wes' shoulders slump in

like the Aspen wolves," he

joining hunting parties and scouting expeditions. They've

I probe gently.

"They all think Ivy's a better Luna candidate. And they think Alpha Lucas is going to take her as his second mate. But

through our bond. I reach out to tug at her ears, a gesture that's

I say, forcing a lightness into my tone that I don't feel. Inside, irritation

think those rumors came

proven. Even though the same damn thoughts go through my head. They wouldn't come up with such

Exactly.

Wes protests, his eyes wide with

interrupt, gentler than I feel. "Rumors are just

sound hollow even to my own

I can almost see

are mates. I'm his only mate, and I'm

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

through the awkward singing of my praises. "Nothing's going to happen to me,

clearly uncomfortable. "I guess I should get back

offering him a smile I hope looks more genuine than it feels. "Thank you for telling me about this,