Filed to story: Tangled in Moonlight Unshifted Novel by Lenaleia
Or you could both be dead, the pessimistic half of my brain whispers.
Shit.
What if Ava’s dead?
The thought of her leaving me alone-
My heart clenches.
Without Ava, I’d truly be screwed. Those wolves aren’t going to think of a little human after their own pack was attacked. I don’t know much about supernaturals, but I know that pack is everything to a wolf. One little human isn’t going to mean anything without Ava there to keep their attention on me.
Am I piece of shit for hoping Ava’s still alive because it means I might have a chance?
Of course I want her alive for more than just me. There’s so much more to it, but…
Still.
Ava, please be alive.
Please come find me.
Please.
I must have fallen asleep.
I don’t remember falling asleep.
Of course you don’t, Selene says with a long yawn. You were so exhausted you just passed out midconversation with Lucas. He almost tore a nurse’s head off for taking too long after he pressed the call button.
Well, I’m glad I missed that overreaction.
You’re fine. It’s just blood loss. They transfused you overnight. You seem a lot better.
I feel a lot better. I didn’t realize how dizzy I was, how my eyes couldn’t focus, until now. Being back to normal feels nice.
Not normal, but better. Selene stretches, flicking her ears at me. Lucas took me on a walk this morning.
Her disgruntled mental voice makes me laugh. How was it?
Fine. He told me to go potty.
I clamp both hands over my mouth, trying my damndest to stifle the hysterical giggles, but the ice blue eyes staring my way tell me I’ve failed in a most spectacular manner.
Perhaps you should go potty, Selene suggests in a voice that would have a beautiful home in Antarctica.
“You’re right. I really need to go.” My lips twitch as I shove my blankets off and haul my IV pole with me like a professional hospital patientwhich, at this point, it kind of feels like I am.
I do need to pee, though, so I make quick work in the bathroom, grateful for the nurses who were thoughtful enough to bring a disposable toothbrush and toothpaste. And soap.
I should shower, though. I hate that gross hospital feeling when I wake up here.
You won’t have time. Lucas and Kellan are almost here.
Must be nice to have wolfnose.
It is.
Must be nice to rub it in.
It is
I snort, my mouth filled with minty foam. You’re kind of a jerk.
I’m just stating the Moonblessed truth.
Hah.
My smile fades when I stare into the mirror, the laughter of my morning quickly fading into the grim reminder that Lisa isn’t here to enjoy this moment with.
Do you have any thoughts on why they crashed the party, Selene?
I can hear her doggy huff even with the water going. They wanted you. What confuses me is that he also wanted Lisa.
Lisa?
But she’s human.
A human mated to a wolf. There’s a good chance there’s something in her bloodline. It might just be enough to make her a tasty snack.
The minty toothpaste quickly turns rotten in my mouth, and I gag at the thought of Lisa becoming a snack for a vampire.
I rinse out my mouth as quickly as possible, heaving twice more.
Sorry. Selene’s apology is a little awkward, and I get it; she probably didn’t think about how the term ‘vampire snack’ would affect me. Wolves eat prey. So do vampires. It’s just that in this case, prey is my best friend, and I’d rather not think of her getting eaten. By vampire or wolf.
“Are you okay to be out of bed?” Lucas and Kellan stare at me from the bathroom doora giant affair, really, of a sliding wooden door. Probably to accommodate wheelchairs.
Good thing I wasn’t doing anything particularly private, because I didn’t close it behind me.
“I’m fine.” Waving away Lucas’ concern, I make my way back to bed, dragging that damnable IV pole behind me. “I’m all better this morning.”
My steps amble to the side a bit, and I correct myself, shaking off Lucas’ helpful hand.
I settle back into the hospital bed, my mind a little fuzzy from the exertion. Lucas hovers nearby, his brows furrowed with concern. Kellan kneels beside
Selene, stroking her fur and staring out the window once again.
The scene would be almost peaceful if not for the lingering dread in the air.
Lucas clears his throat, drawing my attention. “Ava, do you know a woman named Miriam?”
Hearing her name coming out of Lucas’ mouth has me frozen as I recall her dark hair and glittering red eyes. The woman who unsettled even my mother, notoriously cold and always in control.
“Why do you ask?” My voice is barely above a whisper.
Lucas sighs, his expression grim. “Miriam sent us a letter, requesting to see you. She claims you’re in danger and that she can help.”
“A letter?”
His jaw clenches. “It came weeks ago from an Unregistered city near the Blackwood pack lands. It was overlooked while I was in the Blackwood pack lands. If I had seen it sooner…” His voice trails off as he rubs his jaw in frustration. “I’m sorry, Ava. If we had contacted her sooner, we might have known about this”
??. 1 ) | inti
My heart twists, realizing that the tragedy might have been avoidable. “There’s no guarantee of that, What did she say in her letter?”
“Just asking to see you, and saying you were in danger and would understand the warning.”
“Hah.” I shake my head slightly. “My mother brought her in to check me for signs of pregnancy before my mating ceremony with Alpha Renard.”
Lucas’ soft growl fills the room, but we all ignore it. Alphas are notoriously possessive, and there’s no way he would enjoy being reminded that his fated mate was about to be taken by another alpha.
Like Clayton, who still texts me every few days. Lucas doesn’t ask, but he knows.
“I want to see her.”
Kellan clears his throat, catching my attention. “It’s possible that bringing her here would only cause more distress.”
Right. Bringing a vampire here, on the heels of a vampire attack… It doesn’t sound like a great idea.
But I want to talk to her.
You already know how to reach her. Selene stares at me, her blue eyes calm and confident.