Filed to story: Tangled in Moonlight Unshifted Novel by Lenaleia
My heart beats in an erratic rhythm as I entertain a different thought, equal parts exciting and terrifying. What if I don’t seek out another pack at all? What if I choose to live as a human? The idea sends a shiver down my spine, a mix of fear and anticipation. To leave behind everything I’ve ever known, to navigate a world I’ve only ever observed from the sidelines…
There’s a certain allure to it, the promise of freedom, of anonymity. In the human world, I won’t be Ava Grey, the beta’s daughter, the disappointment of the pack. I can be anyone I want to be, free from the expectations and judgments that have weighed me down for far too long…
The new beginning I crave begins in a quaint town by the name of Cedarwood, just outside of Spokane, Washington. It isn’t that I made a conscious choice to stay here, exactly. I sensed shifters at the train station in Spokane and panicked. A rideshare app and a destination chosen at random brought me to
Cedarwood. Specifically, to an adorable bookshop cafe on a picturesque little street in the middle of their commercial district. @
Seriously, the entire street gives me a modern
Victorian vibe, and families all walk because there is literally no parking anywhere. I guess people come here for the charm.
Two weeks later, I’m still at the shop, only now I’m working there. As an added perk, I even get an apartment in the above floor. It was used as storage for a few years by my new boss, and I have a lot of cleaning to do yet, but it’s mine, and I love it, even if there are boxes everywhere.
I still don’t know how all the luck managed to swing my way, but I’m not going to complain. I haven’t seen a single shifter since I came here, and from what I hear, the Aspen Pack treats humans well in their territory. There’s a huge part of me that’s terrified they will come banging on my door, demanding to know why I haven’t informed them of my presence, butwell, that’s a problem for future Ava.
I’m hoping that I smell human enough to not be bothered.
Mrs. Elkins enters the store, the bell above the door announcing her arrival. I look up from the book I’m shelving, a smile already forming on my lips. There’s something about her presence that puts me at ease. There might even be a tiny part of my mind that thinks she’s married to Santa Claus.
“Good morning, Ava,” she greets me warmly, her rheumy eyes crinkling at the corners. “How are you doing today? Settling in alright?”
I nod, my smile widening. “I’m doing well, Mrs. Elkins. Thank you again for the job and the apartment. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate it.”
Mrs. Elkins laughs, a melodious sound that fills the space. “Oh, Ava, you don’t have to thank me every day, you know.”
My cheeks warm. “I know, I just… I’m so grateful.”
She steps closer, resting her hand over mine. Her touch is comforting, almost maternal. “The Novel Grind is a haven, Ava. It’s a place for those who feel they don’t quite fit anywhere else in this world.”
Tears prick my eyes and I blink them back, fluttering my lashes in a desperate attempt to hide how hard her words hit me. If only she knew just how much of an outsider I really am.
“I want you to find your happiness here,” she continues, gesturing to the countless books surrounding us. “Among the thousands of realities written in these pages. There are worlds of possibilities waiting for you, Ava.”
I glance around, taking in the shelves upon shelves of books. Each one holds a different story, a different life. Maybe, just maybe, I can find my own story here too.
“Thank you, Mrs. Elkins,” I say softly, my voice thick with emotion. “I think I will.” I rub my breastbone, feeling that nowfamiliar burn flare. Nothing eases the pain, but I’ve developed a habit of scrubbing at my sternum in hopes of easing it.
She smiles at me, a knowing twinkle in her eye. “I have no doubt about that, my dear. No doubt at all. Now, tell me, is Carlos treating you well? Not hazing my new employee, is he?”
I choke back a laugh, wiping the tears from my eyes in a discreet motion hidden behind adjusting my glasses. Carlos is my new coworker. He’s a few years older than me, kind and funny, and looks in my eyes when we talk. He treats me like an equal, and it’s an amazing feeling.
“He’s has been treating me very well,” I say, my voice filled with genuine warmth. “He’s even helped me prepare to sign up for night classes this summer, since I probably won’t have a car yet. We’ve been working out the logistics of it.”
Mrs. Elkins’ eyes widen with delight. “Night classes? Oh, Ava, that’s wonderful! What are you thinking of studying?”
Her enthusiasm has me ducking my head, a little embarrassed. I don’t admit that I’ve dropped out of everything at my old college. I had to have all my transcripts mailed to a post office box in White Peak that Lisa set up for me, and she forwarded me everything I needed to start over here, in hopes that the transfer couldn’t be traced. Neither of us are really sure how it works behind the scenes.
“I’ve always been interested in literature.” My fingers trace the spine of the book I just shelved. “I thought. maybe I could take some English courses, maybe even creative writing.”
Mrs. Elkins nods, her smile growing. “I think that’s a fantastic idea. You know, I’ve seen the way you handle the books, Ava. It’s like you have a special connection with them. I think you’d excel in any literary field.”
My heart swells at her words, a sense of belonging settling in my chest. “Thank you, Mrs. Elkins. That means a lot to me.”
She pats my hand once more before stepping back. “Now, I think I smell some fresh coffee brewing. Why don’t you join me for a cup before these books?”
you finish up up with
I set the rest of the books on a nearby table. “I’d love that.”
The smell of coffee is stronger on this end of the cafe, and I sit at the window bar with Mrs. Elkins, enjoying the view of the town’s clock tower and the mountains in the distance, still snowcapped. It is odd to have so few trees on the horizon, but it’s almost a relief. Too many things happen in the shadows of the trees, where a pack can pretend they see nothing.
Carlos slides two steaming mugs in front of us, a playful grin on his face.
“One vanilla latte for the lovely Ava, and a cappuccino for the evergraceful Martha,” he announces with a wink of his dark eyes.
Mrs. Elkins chuckles, her eyes twinkling with amusement. “Oh, Carlos, you’re too much.”
He places a hand over his heart, feigning hurt. “You wound me, Martha. I’m just the right amount of much.”
I can’t help but laugh at their banter, the sound bubbling out of me with an ease I’ve never known before. It’s like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders, allowing me to breathe freely for the first time in my life.
As I take a sip of my latte, savoring the smooth,
Nikku Vlogz Mud Ride with car creamy texture, my phone vibrates on the counter. I glance down to see a text from Lisa’s burner number, and a smile tugs at my lips.
[LISA BURNER: Miss you, babe! Hope you’re settling in okay. Remember, you’ve got this! Love you!
[LISA BURNER: (GIF of two cartoon bears hugging.)]
I turn the key in the lock, the familiar click signaling the start of another day at The Novel Grind. Mrs. Elkins is reading a book in one of our plush, overstuffed armchairs, content to let me take over her morning chores.
“Keep the door open, dear,” she says, flipping a page and squinting through her bifocals. “An open door brings traffic, and it’s such a nice morning.”
The heavy door is a beast to prop open, and I wonder how Mrs. Elkins has managed all these years. Eventually, I find the sweet spot to jam the doorstop in, but sweat is gathering in my armpits by the time I figure it out.
I take a moment to breathe in the pinefresh air, enjoying the chill that curls into my lungs as the sun warms my face. A soft whine catches my attention and I glance down in surprise at the silver husky sitting just outside the door, its tail thumping gently against the sidewalk.
The dog’s eyes are a blue so light that they almost seem white and seem to pierce right through me, as though they can see every secret I’ve ever hidden deep into the recesses of my mind. But then that thought is gone, because hey, it’s just a dog.
Though, I can’t help but notice the uncanny similarity between the husky’s eyes and my own. It’s a little creepy. Plus, they look better on the furry one.
“Hey there, buddy,” I say, easing into a crouch. “What are you doing here so early?”
It does an adorable head tilt, perking its ears forward as though listening with deep thought to every word that I speak. It doesn’t make a sound, but I can’t help but think, again, there’s an uncanny intelligence in its gaze.
The dog doesn’t seem to mind when I reach out a hand, and my fingers brush against the soft fur of its face. It leans into my touch, its eyes halfclosed in pleasure, savoring the contact.
I know I’m smiling a freaking megawatt smile. I love animals. For obvious reasons, the pack doesn’t have dogs around. Or cats. Or rabbits. Well, actually, there are rabbitsbut they aren’t the kind you cuddle with.
We eat them.
“You’re a friendly boy, aren’t you?” I murmur, still scratching.
The dog pulls back, and I swear there’s affront all over that furry face.
“Friendly girl?” I try again.
Her tail wags harder, and she lets out a soft whine of agreement.
I glance around, looking for any sign of an owner, but the street is empty save for a few early morning joggers in the distance. “Are you lost, sweet girl?”
She stares at me, and I have the distinct sense that she thinks I’m stupid.
I sigh and stand, brushing my hair behind my ear. The wind keeps catching at it, blowing it into my face. Between that and the fur I’d managed to loosen with happy scritches, I feel like a sneeze is trying to explode out of my nose.
Huh. Is it possible for even a wolfless shifter to be allergic to dogs?
The husky makes an odd, rhythmic string of chatter at me, and I swear she rolls her eyes.
Get a freaking grip, Ava. You can’t possibly miss being in a pack so much that you’re starting to wolfyize a stray dog.
“What an interesting development,” Mrs. Elkins says from behind me, and I almost fall over in surprise. She tuts and swats at my arm. “You’re too young to have balance issues, Ava. Maybe you should try some squats? I hear those fitness influencers really help.”
If it isn’t obvious, Mrs. Elkins is pretty hip to new technology. She says it’s her job, because she needs to know how to cater to an audience.
“Do you want to come in, little pup?” Mrs. Elkins asks the husky, who woofs at her. “That’s what I thought. Come on in. Don’t get your fur all over my chairs. Those are for clients, not dogs.”
I laugh and follow behind, I can’t shake the feeling that something is just off with this dog. Then again, I have never been away from a pack before, and I’ve heard that going solo does weird things to wolves. I’ll have to keep an eye out for that. There’s no point in freedom and independence if I’m going to go crazy.
“I’ll start brewing the coffee,” I tell Mrs. Elkins, who’s acquired a bag of dog treats from somewhere. The husky is ignoring them, content to flatten herself on the ground and stare at me. The most action my boss gets is a disdainful flick of her furry ears.
The slow morning picks up with a vengeance, and I spend most of my time behind the coffee bar. In the time since I started working here, I realized that most of the travel mugs people bring here say things like, Mama Bear and I can’t mom until I’ve had my coffee. They’re usually some sort of glittery ombre.