Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted novel Chapter 117

117 Ava: Her New Normal

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.

15:35 C

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117 Ava: Her New Normal

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 t–shirt 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 24/7 is driving me insane. I can’t even have a private conversation with Lisa or Selene without him hovering nearby.

15:35 –

117 Ava: Her New Normal

“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.

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117 Ava: Her New Normal

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.

It’s true, too. Having guards around at all times is not something I can get used to, and I never want to get

I share a high–five with Lisa, our palms connecting with a satisfying smack. We did it, I tell Selene

mentally, my thoughts tinged with triumph. We finally 

get some time to ourselves.