Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted novel Chapter 133

133 Ava: The Party (IV)

“Ava,” an unfamiliar voice coos, and I cringe at its

overly saccharine tone.

Turning, I see Chloe sauntering toward me, hips swaying in a way that catches the eye of every male she passes. For a moment, I’m startled by her revealing clothes–a tight, low–cut top that leaves little to the imagination and a skirt so short it barely covers anything at all.

Like Lisa, her auburn hair flows in messy waves over her shoulders, but her eyes are slathered in fancy eyeliner and shadows that belong on one of those make–up artists from online videos. Fancy stuff. A little too much for me, but I can appreciate the talent

behind it.

She reaches me and greets me with an enthusiastic kiss on the cheek, her lips lingering just a bit too long for comfort. “You look amazing,” she gushes, her eyes raking over my body in a way that makes me want to squirm. “So much better than your training clothes.”

I force a smile, trying to ignore the way her

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133 Ava: The Party (IV)

compliments feel insincere, like she’s just saying what she thinks I want to hear. “Thanks, Chloe.”

Her hand reaches out, fingers grazing gently over my breast as she leans in close. “They suit you,” she purrs, and I fight the urge to recoil from her touch. “Don’t they?”

The question’s tossed to someone behind her, but I can’t tell who. There are too many wolves around watching us.

A whistle from one of the nearby male shifters makes my cheeks burn, and I step back, putting some distance between Chloe and myself. She just laughs, the sound grating on my nerves. “Oh, you’re adorable,” she coos, like I’m some sort of skittish animal she finds

amusing.

Before I can respond, she’s pressing a cup of pink punch into my hand, not even bothering to ask if I want it. I stare down at the liquid suddenly feeling out of my depth. Is this what life in the Westwood pack will be like? Overly familiar touches, suggestive comments, and a complete lack of personal boundaries?

133 Ava: The Party (IV))

It doesn’t feel right.

That weird, not–right feeling is back, my stomach churning and my skin prickling with unease.

Here, it seems like everyone is in everyone else’s business, touching and flirting and acting like it’s all just normal. Now I see why Selene was amused by that girl staring at me earlier.

This isn’t something I enjoy, and won’t ever be something I’m used to. I’m not even sure this is what’s normal here. If I’m reading Chloe right–and I think I am, paranoia be damned–she’s done this all on

purpose.

To make me feel like I don’t belong.

Why?

I take a sip of the punch, the sweetness cloying on my tongue. Chloe is still watching me, a smirk playing at the corners of her lips. She knows she’s made me uncomfortable, and she seems to revel in it.

I think of Lucas, of the way he looks at me sometimes like I’m the only person in the world. He’s never made me feel like this, objectified and on display. With him, I

fool onfe van cherished

133 Ava: The Party (IV)

But Lucas isn’t here right now. He’s off dealing with my pack business, so it’s only fair that I navigate these shark–infested waters on my own. I can’t rely on him to protect me from every unwanted advance or inappropriate comment.

If I ever accept the position of his mate, I need to be stronger. I can’t be his weakness.

Correct, Selene whispers.

I take a deep breath, squaring my shoulders as I meet Chloe’s gaze head–on. “Thanks for the drink,” I say, my voice steady despite the nerves fluttering in my stomach. “But I think I’m going to go find Lisa now.”

Chloe’s smirk falters, just for a moment, before she plasters it back on. “Of course,” she says, her tone sickly sweet. “I’m just so glad you made it today.”

“Thanks for the invite,” I mutter, squeezing by her. I’d escaped into the kitchen to find peace, only to find someone even scarier than Mia.

Am I wrong? Is this normal? Because it doesn’t feel

very normal at all.

No, Selene says shortly. There will always be those

ianlous of 

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4,0

Don’t let this sour you, Selene murmurs. Just mingle. There will always be jealous wolves, but there are also good ones out there. 

Or dancing, Selene offers.

That looks fun.