Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 358 Ava: Girl Talk

Left alone, I take the opportunity to glance around the cabin. It's cozy, with a rustic charm that suits Kellan. My eyes land on the couch, and I'm surprised to see a pillow and blanket neatly folded at one end. It looks like Kellan's been sleeping there.

The realization makes me frown. I knew things were awkward between Lisa and Kellan, but I didn't realize it had gotten to the point where they weren't even sharing a bed. The whole "fated mates" situation is clearly causing more tension than I'd thought.

I settle into an armchair to wait.

The shower shuts off, and a few minutes later, Lisa emerges wrapped in a fluffy towel, her hair damp and skin flushed from the hot water.

"Feel better?" I ask.

She nods, grabbing some clothes from a nearby dresser. "Much. Nothing like a hot shower after freezing your butt off outside."

As she dresses, I can't help but ask about what I've noticed. "So, um, is Kellan sleeping on the couch?"

Lisa pauses, her shirt halfway over her head. She pulls it down slowly, avoiding my gaze. "Yeah."

I wait, giving her space to elaborate if she wants to. After a moment, she sighs and sits on the edge of the bed.

"It's just... this whole fated mates thing is a lot, you know? I mean, I like Kellan. He's great. But it feels like there's all this pressure and expectation for our future, and I'm not sure I'm ready for that."

Sympathetic to her plight, I can only nod. "It's a big adjustment, especially for someone who wasn't raised in pack culture."

Lisa runs a hand through her damp hair. "Exactly. And Kellan's been so patient and understanding, but I can tell it's hard for him too. But, you know, he's Kellan, and always trying to be a gentleman. So he decided he should give me even more space the other day."

"Hence the couch," I conclude.

"Hence the couch," she agrees with a wry smile.

in the chair, considering her words. Despite her words, there's a

are you feeling

"Honestly? I'm not sure. Part of me is drawn to Kellan in a way I can't explain. But another part of me is terrified

my own complicated relationship with Lucas, the push and pull between us. "I get it," I say softly. "It's not always

then there's all this other stuff going on. It's a lot to

Kellan about

thinks he's not giving me enough space, and it drives us further…" A vague gesture toward the couch. "Apart.

further. If she doesn't want to

things with you

chuckle at her attempt to change the subject. "Oh, you know.

raises an eyebrow. "Care to

moment. "Have you heard any rumors

* * *

a tiny stash of venison jerky, four bottles of water, a freshly baked loaf of bed, and a watery soup that's more potatoes than sausage—but surprisingly delicious—Lisa slams her hand against Kellan's dining

"She's outrageous."

my soup. "But what am I supposed to do? She isn't technically doing anything. And she

to Washington. We don't need

nothing to do with the temperature of the food. It's nice to

Me, too, Selene protests.

Yes, yes, you too.

can't just send her back," I say finally. "She's the official

Lucas and Clayton are friends, right? Can't Lucas just tell Clayton what's

the food, Ivy hasn't technically done anything wrong. And she's very popular among both

spreading these

any of this from Ivy's own

fingers tightening around her spoon. "The rumors wouldn't be so prevalent if she would stop them. Since she

lean back in my chair, considering her words. She's not entirely wrong, but the situation is more complex than that. "It seems like a stupid reason to sow discord between our packs. Especially considering what Lucas and Clayton had to overcome