Filed to story: Tangled in Moonlight Unshifted Novel by Lenaleia
I laugh between the moans. “So are you.”
My intelligence is at rock bottom, all my brain power centered on where our bodies meet, the obscene sounds in the air, and how close I am to the edge.
When his pace goes frantic, his thrusts frenzied, I feel my body coiling tight.
And when the warmth rushes into me as he growls his release, I shatter.
Shatter.
Every part of me lights up like fucking fireworks, and I sob with the force of the climax that surges through me, dragging me to heaven in a rush.
Lucas leans over me, his chest heaving, his breath hot against my skin. I close my eyes, focusing on the warmth and tenderness blooming inside me, a delicious afterglow that spreads through every inch of my body.
His lips brush against my forehead, my cheeks, my nose, each touch a whisper of devotion. “I’m sorry,” he murmurs between kisses. “I should be chained to a pole whenever you’re around.”
A laugh bubbles up from my chest, the absurdity of his statement cutting through the haze of pleasure. “I don’t think that would help much.”
He chuckles, the sound vibrating through his chest and into mine. “Probably not. You’d find a way to tempt me even then.”
We stay like that for a moment, basking in the aftermath of our passion, the world narrowed down to just the two of us. But reality begins to seep in, reminding me of the complications that await us
C
outside this room.
Reluctantly, I pull away, sitting up and adjusting my clothes. Lucas does the same, his movements efficient yet tinged with a hint of regret.
As I smooth down my hair, trying to erase the evidence of our tryst, Lucas steps closer, his arms encircling me from behind. The intimacy of the gesture, the way his body molds against mine, sends a fresh wave of longing through me.
But I can’t let myself fall into this again. Not now. Not when I’ve just fought so hard for my independence.
Gently, I push his arms away, guilt twisting in my gut as I turn to face him. “Lucas, I… I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have let that happen.”
His brow furrows, a flash of frustration darkening his golden eyes. “Ava, I thought-“
“I know,” I interrupt, my voice soft but firm. “I got caught up in the moment. In the bond. But it doesn’t change what I said before. I still need space. Time to figure things out on my own.”
He stares at me for a long moment, his jaw clenched, his hands flexing at his sides. I brace myself for an argument, for him to try and persuade me to change my mind.
But to my surprise, he takes a step back, holding up his hands in a gesture of surrender. “I understand,” he says, though the words seem to pain him. “I don’t like it, but I understand. I’ll give you the space you need.”
Relief washes over me, mingled with a bittersweet ache. Part of me yearns to close the distance between us, to lose myself in his embrace once more. But I know that’s not the right path, not now.
“Thank you,” I whisper, my voice thick with emotion. “I know it’s not easy.”
He shakes his head, a wry smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. “Nothing about this is easy, Ava. But I meant what I said. I’ll wait for you, as long as it takes.”
The sincerity in his words, the depth of feeling in his eyes, sends a shiver down my spine. I know he means it, that he would move heaven and earth for me if I asked.
But I can’t ask that of him. Not yet. Maybe not ever. He’s giving you what you want, Selene murmurs in my mind her presence a soothing balm. Don’t feel guilty for taking it.
I nod, more to myself than to her. She’s right. I need to focus on my own journey, my own growth. Lucas is strong enough to handle the distance, even if it hurts.
“I should go.” I say, my voice steadier than I feel. “Lisa’s waiting for me.”
Lucas nods, his expression carefully neutral. “Of course. I’ll have Kellan escort you back to the apartment.”
The mention of Kellan brings a fresh wave of anxiety. How much does he know about what just happened? Will he tell the others?
As if sensing my thoughts, Lucas reaches out, his hand brushing against my cheek in a feather light caress. “Don’t worry about Kellan. He’s discreet. And loyal. He won’t say anything.”
I lean into his touch for a brief moment, savoring the comfort it brings.
Living in Westwood becomes routine again quickly.
Training with Jericho starts again only two days after my return, and the grizzled old shifter doesn’t say a word about my long absence.
Lucas and I text every night, but I refuse to call him. The sound of his voice is going to make me regret things.
And Selene settles into our daily life as though she were never gone.
The only downside?
Kellan.
I have yet to speak to Selene or Lisa about anything important, because the beta is always around. He sleeps on the couch every night, no matter how many protests Lisa and I hurl his way.
Even Lucas is on board with it. I thought utilizing his possessiveness would go my way; it didn’t.
He just said Kellan would be the one wolf he could trust to keep me safe.
Lisa’s worse off than I am; she spends a good chunk of her day glowering at the friendly beta.
I watch Kellan as he washes the dishes, his broad shoulders filling out his tshirt in a way that would be appealing if I wasn’t so annoyed by his constant presence. Lisa mutters beside me, “It isn’t fair that my apartment’s been taken over.”
I sigh, the sound heavy with frustration. Selene huffs little woof of agreement from her spot on the floor.
“You know I can hear you two, right?” Kellan says without turning around, his voice tinged with amusement.
Lisa rolls her eyes. “Good. Maybe you’ll take the hint and leave.”
Kellan chuckles, the sound deep and warm. He turns, leaning back against the counter as he dries his hands on a dish towel. “Sorry, no can do. Alpha’s orders.”
I grit my teeth. It’s not that I don’t appreciate Lucas’s concern for my safety. I do. But having Kellan here is driving me insane. I can’t even have a private conversation with Lisa or Selene without him hovering nearby.
“We don’t need a babysitter,” I say, crossing my arms.
over my chest.
Kellan arches a brow. “After everything that’s happened, I beg to differ.”
I bristle at that, my cheeks heating with a mix of anger and embarrassment. I know he’s right. I’ve been kidnapped, attacked, and goddess knows what else in the span of a few short months. But still.
“I can take care of myself,” I mutter, knowing it sounds petulant even as the words leave my mouth.
Kellan’s expression softens. “I know you can, Ava. But let us help, okay? It’s what pack does.”
I look away, blinking back the sudden sting of tears. Pack. The word feels foreign on my tongue these days. The Blackwood pack was never really mine, no matter how much I tried to make it fit. And the Westwood pack…
Well. I’m not really sure where I stand with them. With him.
Lucas and I have been texting, but it’s superficial stuff. Jokes and memes, a quick question about our day.
I’m avoiding anything more meaningful than that, and he knows it. He’s letting me.
But he’s not letting me be as free as I’d like, because despite having won the war of where I live… Kellan’s here.
“We already have bodyguards outside. Can’t you just leave for a few hours? Let us have our space? I can’t breathe without one of you watching me, and I’m sick of it.”
It’s true, too. Having guards around at all times is not something I can get used to, and I never want to get used to it.
Selene huffs, sliding her baleful gaze in Kellan’s direction.
Kellan shakes his head, and both Lisa and I groan in unison. The sound is loud and long, dripping with all the frustration that’s been building up inside me for days now.
It’s not just the constant surveillance, though that’s certainly part of it. It’s everything. The bond with Lucas, the fact that my father and Alpha Renard still haven’t been found, the questions I have about my
A/T
body. All of it.
Kellan sighs in resignation, running a hand through his hair until it sticks up in unruly spikes. “Look, I get it. You two need some space. Some time to yourselves.” He pauses, his brow furrowing as he seems to wage some internal battle. Finally, he nods, as if coming to a decision. “I can give you tomorrow afternoon. But you have to promise me you won’t leave the apartment.”