Filed to story: Tangled in Moonlight Unshifted Novel by Lenaleia
I stand abruptly, my chair scraping against the hardwood floor. I need to get out there, to track down any load I non find Buery minute Aun’a minning in another minute she could be in danger.
“Keep this between us for now,” I tell Mrs. Elkins, my tone brooking no argument. “I don’t want to cause a panic. If anyone asks, just say Ava’s out sick.”
She nods, her expression grim. “Of course. But Lucas, be careful. Whatever’s going on, it feels bigger than just Cedarwood.”
I give her a tight smile, already heading for the door. “I know. But I’ll do whatever it takes to bring her home safe.”
I need to call Kellan.
It’s time for war. I need to get my mate back.
Lucas, you’re going the wrong way…
Lenaleia
Creator’s Thought
A week has passed since that first fateful night with Clayton, and the haze of my heat is finally fading.
Clayton rarely left my side, and every time I think of him, I blush. To go from a virgin with almost no experience to so many memories of his naked body over mine, his large hands rough on my skin, and the nearviolent collision of our passion, over and over again…?
It’s like a different world.
I can’t help looking at men a little differently, with a little bit more suspicion. If someone as polite and gentlemanly as Clayton can have that side of him, aren’t they all just brutal beasts in bed?
Well, your heat experience is a little unique, Selene says dryly.
Clayton’s back with his pack today, doing alphathings, I think. I’m not sure. He was gone when I woke up.
The nurses haven’t discharged me yet, saying they just want to make sure I’m okay. I’m more than okay. I feel strong and refreshed. Even some of the scars all over my neck from failed claiming marksso many failed attempts, because heatAva apparently really likes when he triesare slowly fading from the first night.
They’ll be gone in another week, Selene agrees.
It looks brutal, like I’ve been attacked by a wild animal. In a way, I guess I wasClayton wasn’t in his right mind, eitherbut claiming marks by nature have always healed quickly.
The scars usually stay, though.
Now that I can feel my heat is done, I feel embarrassed and guilty more than anything. I’m sure it must be awkward for Clayton, as well.
I’ll be able to see you soon, I tell Selene, who gives a little rumble of excitement. She’s been hanging out near the hospital, frustrated because she can’t get to me. She can apparently?-scale the building to my window, but could never come in because of Clayton.
Neither of us want to give up our secrets, so she stayed outside, parted from me.
Don’t lose the necklace this time, Selene orders me, frustrated as she too thinks about this past week.
It’s been rough.
I won’t. She found it near my selfdefense classes. The clasp had broken, and it didn’t take long for my heat to take over.
Selene still hasn’t explained the ins and outs of that, but I’ll get it out of her eventually. Right now, I’m just anxious to go home. I was given the option of using Clayton’s phone to get in touch with anyone worried about me, but I don’t want any of them to know who I amso, I didn’t.
If he knows about The Novel Grind, he can find my information easily. If he knows my information, he can figure out what pack I’m from. If that happens…
Clayton is a good man, but he’s an alpha who needs to put his pack first. I don’t know what he would do if my pack asked for me back.
Once I’m discharged, I plan to sneak back into obscurity. I don’t want to take any chances.
I sink back against the pillows with a sigh. I want to go for a walk, but the nurses won’t let me leave the isolation room for another day. Think Lucas knows I’m missing?
Selene scoffs. Who knows. Who cares? He’s just your exfated.
It isn’t like she’s wrong, but I can’t help but think about him anyway. During my heat, that ever present ache in my chest had disappeared… but it’s back now, and filled with a decent amount of guilt over how I’ve spent the last week.
Nothing to be guilty about. You aren’t mated.
Also true.
But still.
The door to my hospital room suddenly swings open, and a woman strides in with an air of confidence. She has the same striking green eyes as Clayton, her chestnut hair pulled back in a sleek ponytail.
“You must be Ava,” she says, giving me a warm smile. “I’m Ivy, Clayton’s sister. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
I move to stand as Ivy enters, but she waves a hand dismissively. “No need to get up. Rest, you’ve been through an ordeal.”
I sink back onto the bed, a little selfconscious under her scrutinizing gaze. It’s like she’s checking to see if
I’m worthy of her brother.
Which I’m not. I can tell her that any day of the week. Clayton’s an accomplished alpha with a pack who reveres him. I’m a pack defect who ran away. I’m not about to try to get any favors from Clayton; I just want to disappear quietly.
I resist the urge to squirm or cover myself with the thin hospital blanket as she continues to assess me.
“It’s nice to meet you too,” I say, extending my hand. Ivy grasps it firmly, her grip surprisingly strong and her palms and fingers callused.
Our handshake is brief but allows her to lean in close, nostrils flaring slightly as she gets a subtle whiff of my scent. I hold myself still, fighting the instinct to pull back or bare my neck in submission. This woman may be Clayton’s sister, but her dominant energy makes me wary.
“So you’re the mysterious omega who has my brother all worked up,” Ivy murmurs, her tone light but her green eyes glittering with sharp intelligence. “I can’t say I blame him. Your scent is quite… enticing.”
I swallow hard, my mouth suddenly dry. Is she flirting with me? Or just making an observation? Is she disapproving of how he fell into bed with me? It’s not like I tried to have that happen.
“I didn’t mean to cause any trouble,” I say carefully. “It was never my intention to, um, entice anyone.”
Ivy arches one elegant brow. “Of course not. True omegas can’t help their allure, it’s simply part of their nature.” Her gaze drifts down to the fading marks on my neck, and she clicks her tongue, muttering under her breath, “Although it seems my brother struggled to keep his wolf in check around you.”
I eye Ivy warily as she smiles at me, that warm expression not quite reaching her sharp gaze. “Clayton sent me to ensure you settle into your new lodgings comfortably. He personally chose the apartment himself and hopes it will suit you.”
I fight the frown that wants to curl my lips down. “That’s very kind of him, but I don’t need a place to stay. I’d prefer to just return home, if it’s all the same.”
Ivy’s smile doesn’t falter, but there’s a calculating glint in her eyes now. “And where is home for you, Ava? No one has managed to get even that basic information out of you yet.”
I hesitate, my heart giving a hard thump against my ribs. Telling this woman anything about my past or my origins feels unwise, and thinking that way makes me feel guilty. After all, everyone in this pack has treated me so kindly, even during my most embarrassing moments.
Pressing my lips together, I refuse as politely as I can. “I just want to return home. I appreciate the offer, but you all have done too much for me as it is.”
Ivy watches me closely. “I see,” she murmurs. “Well, I’ll let Clayton know that you refused.” She sounds a little too satisfied.
I watch Ivy closely as she takes my hands in hers, searching her face for any hint of deception. There’s something almost too sincere in the way she looks at me. The gentle curve of her lips doesn’t match the hardness of her eyes.
“Take care of yourself, Ava,” she says softly, giving my hands a gentle squeeze before releasing them.
“Thank you.” I’m not really sure how else to respond. She acts so concerned, and yet she’s met me for all of two minutes.
Ivy turns and crosses the room, plucking a pen from the small table beside the door. She scribbles something on the pad of paper there before tearing off the sheet and placing it in my hands.
“That’s my number. In case you need anything at all, don’t hesitate to call me.”
With that, she’s gone, the door clicking shut quietly behind her.
I let out a slow breath, glancing at the paper with her looping handwriting scrawled across it.
Selene’s growl echoes in my mind. She sounds too cunning by far, pup. Watch yourself around that one.
I frown, picking up the paper and staring at the number as if it might reveal Ivy’s true intentions. You think she’s up to something?
I don’t dare speak out loud; I’m sure Ivy would hear me.
I think she’s scared you will take over the control she has in the pack. As the alpha’s sister, she must be pretty highranking.
That would make sense.
I shiver. I have no interest in being part of any pack’s internal politics. She’s probably just misunderstanding Clayton’s kindness.