Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 191 Ava: Mom's Legacy (IV)

Vanessa's visit is a welcdistraction from Selene's refusal to cout from beneath the bed.

She's searched thoroughly, even her bag of medical supplies, before Marcus allows her to step foot into my

room, as if she hasn't been one of my biggest supporters since stepping onto Westwood lands.

"Looks like security's been upgraded," she says with a laugh. "I owe Vester dinner."

"Dinner?" Watching as she slides the blood pressure cuff over my arm, | smile faintly. "Did you guys have a bet?"

"We always have a bet going. | usually win. Uncross your legs and relax your arms."

A quick check of all my vitals has her nodding in approval. "Still doing good. Did you get any check-ups done

while you were back on pack lands?"

"Nope."

"Of course you didn't." She snaps my file closed with a sigh. "Kellan should have thought about it while you were

there, but with everything going on... Mmm. | can see how it would be missed."

The entire pack is in an uproar. I've barely seen Lucas in two days.

"They have the entire Council coming. Even Clayton. Kellan's here to take over for the duration of their

emergency session," | explain, not sure how much Vester's told her.

"So I've heard. Open your mouth." Using her tongue depressor to clear her field of view, she inspects the back of

my throat with a soft hum. "Your tonsils are swollen. Have you been snoring?"

"I have no idea." Of course, my mouth is open with what looks like a popsicle stick holding down my tongue, so it

comes out more like, "A-ha-ho-ihea."

Yes, Selene offers up from her place beneath the bed, as Vanessa finishes violating my mouth with her depressor.

After swallowing a few times and moistening my mouth, | mutter, "Selene says yes."

"We'll keep an eye on it. Hopefully you aren't about to cdown with a cold or anything." There's a dubious

note to Vanessa's voice, and | remember that she's a healer to shifters.

They don't get things like colds. Or illness in general.

Injury-related issues, sure.

Or poisons.

Which begs the question once again, why are all of my bodyguards supposedly 'retired'? An aging shifter is not

the sas an aging human.

I wonder if Vanessa knows.

"Vanessa—"

"Hold on, letfinish." Her cool fingers brush against my neck, tapping and pressing in spots that only make

sense to her. Then she checks over all my limbs and my chest and back, nodding to herself at times and

occasionally givingorders, like take a deep breath or stop jiggling your leg.

"You seem to be back to your normal self, which is great news for Jericho. He wants you to start training again

tomorrow."

Despite my new resolve to becmore mature, responsible, and (above all) stronger, a groan escapes me.

"Really?"

It would be a lie to say that there isn't a part ofthat wishes power would just appear in front ofand

embracewithin it, so | don't have to go through the hell of training.

But as convenient as that would be, I'm not stupid enough to think it actually happens to people, so | straighten

my slumped shoulders, clear my throat, and meet Vanessa's amused stare with as much professionalism and

Luna-like poise as | can muster. "I mean, that sounds great."

"Yes, I'm sure it does. Don't push yourself too hard. | warned him to take it easy on you to start."

"Small blessings."

She laughs as she packs everything away. "You're the one who told him you wanted to get stronger. I'm not sure

what you were expecting."

"I know, | know. | do want to get stronger. It's just that Jericho's version of training is a circle of Hell that's better

left undisturbed." Watching her brings a cozy sort of comfort to my chest. Something deeper than a healer-to-

patient relationship.

It's unfamiliar, but it's nice.

"Hey, Vanessa?" My fingers twist around each other, a nervous habit | can't seem to break. "Have you figured out

how to deal with my mother?"

The playful smile slips from Vanessa's face, replaced by a serious expression to match the topic at hand. "I

have." She zips her medical bag closed and sets it on the floor, watching me. "When do you want to visit the

hospital? I'm assuming you'd rather do it sooner than later."

My mouth dries faster than the Sahara in summer. The idea of facing my mother again, after our last disastrous

encounter, sends an Arctic shudder down my spine. But | want answers. "How about in the morning?"

Vanessa's lips twitch, a glimmer of amusement in her eyes. "Trying to avoid training with Jericho, are we? But

tonight would be better."

A laugh bubbles out of me, the sound a little too high-pitched to be genuine. We both know that visiting my

mother is far worse than any hell Jericho could putthrough on the training grounds, but the attempt at levity

is appreciated.

"You know, I'm glad you're finally opening up to other members of the pack," Vanessa says, changing the

subject, as if realizing | don't want to linger on it too long.

She probably does.

She's good at things like that.

Marcus stands by the window, his face a professional blank canvas. He acts like he's ignoring our conversation,

but | know he's heard every word. I'm pretty sure he reports it all to Jericho.

It's more than a little overwhelming, but I'm trying to get used to it.

"It's not easy, but I'm trying." My lips quirk, just a little. "Someone really opened my eyes, and I've cto see

things differently."

"I'm glad to hear she helped you." Vanessa's expression softens. "Lucas has already calledseveral times, you

know. Making sure | won't be putting you in any danger. Still grumbling about this silly idea of yours."

My eyes widen, horror washing over me. "He what?"

She laughs, the sound rich and genuine. "It's hard being married to an overprotective alpha, isn't it?"

| groan, burying my face in my hands. The secondhand embarrassment and mild frustration over him is too

much. "I can't believe he did that. We talked about it before I left. He was on board with it!"

"He loves you, Ava. He's just worried."

| peek at her through my fingers, grateful to hear how amused she is, instead of irritated. "I know. | get it. But

still. It's too much."

"That's how they all are. "Just too much." I'm pretty they're born trying to outdo each other on who's more

unrealistically overprotective than the next."

The worst part is, | can't even blhim for his level of concern, considering how much has happened to me.

How many people get kidnapped more than once in their life? Most people don't even make it to one.

Stil [9

Vanessa's amusement fades, replaced by a more serious expression. She glances over at Marcus, then back at

me. "Is it really necessary to have a guard in the room at all times?"

Dropping my hands into my lap with a sigh, | try my best not to grimace. It isn't like | want Marcus to feel like |

don't appreciate his presence. "Sister Miriam was able to get into my room at Westwood. | don't know how, but

she did.

Even though the two guards were knocked unconscious before | even knew she was there, everyone feels better

knowing there's at least someone around, in case it happens again."

Vanessa's brows furrow. "I'd heard something about that. It's concerning, to say the least. Sounds a lot like old

magic, and we aren't very familiar with that kind of thing."

"Lucas doesn't want to take any chances."

She nods, her lips pursed. "I'm amazed he was willing to part with you at all, given the circumstances."

A wry smile tugs at my lips, and | shrug. "After a lot of back and forth, Jericho convinced him to call a Council

meeting. He thinks there's a much bigger issue at play and that it affects all the wolf packs."

"| agree with him." Vanessa smiles when my brows raise at her reaction. "As darling as | think you are, and as

special as you seem to be, it isn't enough to throw all conventions out the window. Every vampire knows that

they're risking war with these actions. This is a much bigger deal than just one person, no matter how wonderful

a person she is."

Nodding—because once Jericho pointed it out, | agreed with him—I add, "Since Selene says a strong wolf can

sense the power within me, he wantsto avoid being seen by all the alphas of the Northwestern Territories, so

he senthere. Out of the way, and hopefully a little safer."

"Would it be that big of a problem if the other alphas met you?" Vanessa looks a little doubtful, and | shrug.

"I don't know. I'm not familiar with the other alphas, really. Only Clayton."

"Hmm." She reaches out, giving my hand a gentle squeeze. "Well, | think it's good that you're here. Facing your

mom might help with a lot of things you're dealing with."