Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 348 Lisa: Their Strange Situation

LISA

As we make our way back to camp, I'm acutely aware of my three bodyguards following silently behind us.

They've been stoic throughout this whole ordeal, even after nearly becoming collateral damage earlier. | wonder

what they really think about all this.

Wolf's Landing comes into view after a mile of trudging through snow, a sprawling collection of tents and cabins.

It's a far cry from the cozy apartment | shared with Ava in Westwood, but it's hnow.

As we walk, | catch snippets of conversation from passing wolves. Most of it revolves around patrol schedules,

supply inventories, and the latest gossip. But every so often, | hear whispers about the Grand Sage's strange

inventions.

It's funny. Most of the pack has no idea what we're really working on out here. They see the gnas skind

of eccentric engineer, tinkering away in his tent. But many wear his crowning achievement on their wrists—those

"magic watches" that have revolutionized how we communicate across long distances.

| glance down at my own watch, marveling at how something so small can be so crucial. It's not perfect—

sometimes the signal drops, or messages get garbled—but it's a lifeline for our scouting parties, once out of the

range of their strange pack mind link thing.

Of course, all watches need to be linked in order to send or receive. There's a couple master watches (worn by

the pack alpha and beta, of course), but several are linked to others, like a mate or direct superior. Or something.

I don't know exactly how it works; I'm not super hip on the chain of command stuff they do around here.

The Grand Sage's voice breaks through my reverie. "I'll need to make sadjustments to the brace. Perhaps a

larger blood reservoir... or we could experiment with different types of crystals for energy storage, but we don't

have many to work with."

I nod, only half-listening. My mind is already drifting to the promise of warmth and comfort waiting in Kellan's

cabin. "Sounds good. And maybe on not blowing up random innocents when | make a single mistake."

He chuckles, patting my arm. "Of course, of course. Rwasn't built in a day, you know. Or was it? | can never

keep human history straight."

* kK

The cabin | share with Kellan is cozy and warm. It's a luxury to not share space in this place, especially lately,

with all the new wolves being added with each returned scouting party.

The instant coffee tin mocksas | scoop out a meager portion. Hot water, stir, and voila—a sad excuse for

caffeine. | take a sip and grimace. Bitter, watery, and somehow both burnt and flavorless at the stime.

"Shit coffee," | mutter, padding back to the couch.

| wrap myself in a thick blanket, cradling the mug for warmth as | stare out the window. Snow falls in lazy flurries,

blanketing the world in white. It's peaceful, almost hypnotic.

My brain feels like mush after today's magitech testing. The quiet is a balm, letting my thoughts drift aimlessly.

The front door creaks open and Kellan steps inside, shaking snow from his boots.

"Oh. Hi," I manage, my voice catching.

Snowflakes cling to his dirty blonde hair, now tousled from the wind. It was always super short before; it's longer

now. His cheeks and nose are flushed from the cold, making his stormy gray eyes pop. As he shrugs off his coat,

| can't help but notice how his shirt clings to his broad shoulders and muscular arms.

After he sets his boots aside to dry, he runs his hands through his hair. My eyes trail down his neck to the hollow

of his throat, visible where his shirt is unbuttoned.

| force myself to look away, focusing on the shit caffeine in my cup.

"Hey," he replies, equally awkward.

| fidget with my mug, searching for something to say, but nothing comes out. Kellan clears his throat after some

time.

"Just here to take a shower."

"Okay," | nod, perhaps too enthusiastically. "Sure. Yeah."

He disappears into the bedroom. A few moments later, | hear water running.

I sigh, my shoulders slumping. This weirdness between us has been building for months. Ever since | balked at

the whole "fated mates" thing, Kellan's backed off, givingspace. And | appreciate that, | do. But now there's

this... gap.

We're sharing the beta cabin, but it feels like we're worlds apart.

For a while, we were growing closer. But now? We're not even friends. Just roommates. And he's got three

bodyguards keeping an eye on my every move. Which, for the record—I'm not complaining about.

| get it. | appreciate it. But... | don't know. It's just strange, | guess.

He cares about me. He's made that clear. And | get that mates are important to wolves. I've watched it via my

own best friend.

But that's not how | was raised. This whole fated mates shit is weird ass voodoo, not something humans are

supposed to be a part of.

The worst part? I'm horny as hell. My body craves his touch. Every t| look at his face | want to jump on it. But

| can't bring myself to cross that line. Not when | know he wants more than just sex.

It wouldn't be fair to either of us.

Though... what if | did? What if | just let go and gave in to these urges?

| close my eyes, letting my imagination run wild. In my mind's eye, | see Kellan emerging from the shower, water

droplets clinging to his muscular frame. Steam curls around him as he walks towards me, a towel slung low on

his hips. His eyes, stormy gray and intense, lock onto mine.

"Lisa," he says, his voice a low rumble. It sends shivers down my spine.

In this fantasy, | don't hesitate. | stand, letting the blanket fall away. My hands reach for him, tracing the

contours of his chest, feeling the warmth of his skin beneath my fingertips. He pullsclose, one hand cupping

my face while the other slides down to the small of my back.

Our lips meet, and it's electric. Months of tension and longing pour into that kiss. His stubble scratches my chin,

but | don't care. | tangle my fingers in his damp hair, pressing myself against him.

He liftseffortlessly, and | wrap my legs around his waist. The towel falls away as he carriesto the

bedroom. We tumble onto the bed, a tangle of limbs and breathless laughter.

His lips trail down my neck, leaving a path of fire in their wake. | arch into him, craving more. His hands roam my

body, teasing and exploring. | gasp as he—

The water shuts off, jerkingback to lonely reality.

| take another sip of my coffee, grimacing at the taste and my frustration.

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