Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted novel Chapter 211

211 Ava: Bringing Trouble to the Pack 

There’s a simple text on my phone, from an unknown number. 

[UNKNOWN: Come to Dakota Sanctuary. We have a place for you. Now that you’ve unlocked your power, you’re a danger to everyone around you.] 

“Is everything okay?” 

Marcus‘ eagle eyes must have noticed the blood draining from my face. 

I don’t want to lie to him, but I don’t know how much he should 

know about the situation. 

Then again, the man’s my bodyguard. 

How can he effectively guard me if he doesn’t know what’s going 

on? 

Tell Lucas, Selene says, sounding grim. 

I will. “This text. Probably the same as the unknown call from before.” Handing Marcus my phone, I watch as his face zones out to inform Kellan or Jericho of the situation. Or both of them. Probably both. 

My gaze flicks to the book, but the words that had appeared moments ago are gone, leaving only those illegible runes once again. The cryptic message lingers in my mind, unsettling in its implications. 

I don’t like this, Ava, Selene says, her voice laced with concern. It feels like we’re being herded into something. 

17:38 

211 Ava: Bringing Trouble to the Pack 

The thought of being manipulated, of being led down a path I didn’t choose, brings nothing but unease 

What are our choices right now? I ask, hating the tremor in my mental voice. If my power really is a danger to everyone around 

me… 

I trail off, not wanting to finish that thought. The idea that I can hurt the people I care about, that my mere presence could put them at risk, is a heavy weight on my chest. 

I’ve already hurt so many people. 

But leaving isn’t an option. 

So what the fuck am I supposed to do? 

It feels like I’m being forced into making a bad decision. There has. to be another way, right? Like Vanessa said–I was always thinking in black and white. So, now I need to find gray. Or orange. Or whatever other color it could possibly be. 

Somehow. 

Lucas‘ face flashes through my mind, and I can already imagine his reaction to this new development. Can he really keep me safe from my own power? Can I keep him safe? 

The Unregistered city is an unknown, Selene says. We need to talk 

to someone we can trust. 

But the only lead we have is Sister Miriam, and Lucas doesn’t trust 

her. 

I don’t necessarily trust her, either–but I don’t think she intends. me harm. 

17.38 

2/7 

211 Ava: Bringing Trouble to the Pack 

Your power is a concern, Selene admits, though I can hear the reluctance in her voice. But… 

Her concern mirrors mine. 

Funny; before, when we had no one to rely on, we were ready to take so many risks. Selene wasn’t as worried as now. 

But with the people we care about warning us, time after time, about our safety? 

After the vampire attacks? 

She’s learned caution. 

So have I. 

Marcus clears his throat, drawing my attention. “Kellan and Jericho are on their way,” he says, handing the phone back to me. 

I nod, trying to quell the rising panic in my chest. Kellan and Jericho will know what to do. They’ll have a plan. They have to. 

Don’t always rely on others to do your work for you, Ava. You have to do it, too. 

Fair. But there’s nothing that comes to mind… 

And my plans in the past have led to trouble. 

But you successfully found freedom in Cedarwood, didn’t you? 

Did I? 

With Mrs. Elkins‘ arrival, it’s been a niggling doubt in my head. 

Did I find freedom? 

Or was it the first stage of someone’s grand plan? 

317 

211 Ava: Bringing Trouble to the Pack 

That’s just paranoia, Selene murmurs, but I can tell she’s not sure, either. 

The Unregistered city. A place where the laws of the world don’t. apply. Where vampires and other creatures roam unchecked. The thought of venturing into such a place… 

And Lisa’s already there. 

She’s been there for so long. 

I could go. I could save her. 

But I don’t have the training, and I’m… what, some sort of exploding time bomb of magical power? 

My brain just keeps rushing in circles, making me dizzy with the force of my indecision and panic. 

+17 

If only I were like my family. A bizarre thing to think in a moment like this, but even I have to admit that Jessa was never one to panic. Phoenix, either. And my father? I don’t think I’ve seen him at any level past moderate concern in his entire life. 

Then there’s me. 

Paranoia. Secrets. Worries. Uncertainty. I can’t even figure out how to mend my relationship with a pack without getting advice from 

Vanessa. 

I didn’t even realize how much damage I had done until she’d pointed it out. 

It isn’t like your family realizes how much damage they’ve done to 

emulate them, Ava. They’re nothing but either. Don’t try to 

you, 

flaws. 

4/7 

< 

211 Ava: Bringing Trouble to the Pack 

Selene’s dry words bring a little relief, easing the pressure in my chest. And mortification. 

Why would I ever look at my family as people to emulate? 

Because you’ve been trained to, all your life. 

“Sounds like a flimsy excuse when you know better,” I mutter. 

Marcus, to his credit, ignores me as he always does when I talk to Selene, glancing up only when Jericho and Kellan come rushing in. 

Kellan holds out his hand, concern on his face. “Can I see your phone, Ava?” 

I hand it over, watching as he scrutinizes the text message, his frown deepening with each passing second. Jericho’s gaze is intense, studying me like I’m a puzzle he’s trying to solve. 

“We should talk to Steve,” Kellan says, looking up from the phone. “See if she can get any information from this message.”