Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 55 Ava: Shopping With Ivy

For someone who doesn't want children, he could have fooledlast week, Selene says, yawning in

amusement.

Shut up, | hiss at her, smiling at Ivy. "I'm sorry for startling you."

"It's fine." She waves a hand, lookingover with scaution. "As long as you're okay."

| continue eating, trying to keep my composure after that awkward moment. Ivy hesitates, seeming unsure if she

should continue eating as well. The silence between us grows thick and uncomfortable. | rack my brain for

something to say, but the tension is stifling.

Finally, Ivy clears her plate and stands. "Well, | should get going. Thank you for havingover."

| stand as well, unsure of the protocol. "Of course. Thanks for the gifts."

She steps forward and kisses both my cheeks, catchingoff guard. "I'll see you around, Ava."

And with that, she's gone, leavingalone in the apartment. | collapse onto the plush couch, mentally

exhausted from the visit. What was the point of all that? She seemed nice enough, but there's just something so

weird about how she acts. Judgment? Suspicion?

| can't quite put my finger on it.

Selene pads over and hops up beside me, resting her head on my lap. She certainly is an interesting one.

"You're telling me," | mutter, running my fingers through her soft fur. "I can't figure out her angle."

| wouldn't trust her as far as | could throw her. There's something off about that one.

| frown, staring at the gifts she left on the counter. "You think so? She seems harmless enough to me."

Famous last words, pup. Selene huffs out a breath. Just be careful around her. And her brother, for that matter.

"Clayton?" The memory of our intimate encounter flashes through my mind, heat creeping up my neck. "What's

wrong with him?"

If you aren't willing to be his mate, you need to be careful. His wolf thinks of you as his mate. He's been trying to

reach me.

| stare at Selene. "You guys can talk to each other?"

Of course. Her blue husky eyes seem to find my intelligence lacking. It's only humans who are limited in their

communication.

I see.

Rubbing her ears, | ask as casually as possible, "And Lucas' wolf?"

Selene jerks her head away with a sharp snort. | don't talk to the unworthy.

Ouch.

* kK

| wake up to the sound of Selene's excited yips and the thump of her tail against the bed frame. Rubbing the

sleep from my eyes, | peer over at her lounging on the couch, watching the scheesy shifter romance, but

this ton the bedroom TV.

"Morning, you lazy mutt," | grumble, throwing a pillow in her general direction. She dodges it easily, not even

bothering to look away from the screen.

Good morning, sunshine, she replies, her tone dripping with sarcasm. Sleep well?

"Well enough to know that show is garbage," | shoot at her, before heading into the bathroom for a shower.

As I'm drying off, my phone chimes with a new text message. It's from Ivy, asking if I'm free to go shopping with

her today. | grimace, not exactly thrilled at the prospect.

You should go, Selene's voice echoes in my mind. It'll be good for you to get out of the apartment for a bit. Don't

give up what freedom you can get.

"I don't know," | murmur, typing out a non-committal response. "lvy kind of makesuncomfortable

sometimes."

A little while later, there's a knock at the door. | open it to find Ivy standing there, looking impeccably put

together as always. She givesa once-over, taking in my ratty t-shirt and sleep shorts.

"Good, you're ready," she says breezily, brushing pastinto the apartment. "I took the liberty of picking out an

outfit for you."

She holds up a garment bag, unzipping it to reveal a silky turquoise blouse and lightweight gray pants. My eyes

widen when | spot the pair of heels peeking out from the bottom.

"Ivy, you already broughtclothes yesterday," | protest weakly. "And | don't really wear heels."

"Nonsense." She waves a dismissive hand. "You'll look great. Now go get changed—the car is waiting

downstairs."

Even without the clothes... | never once agreed to go shopping, did 1?

| check my phone, and the text. Nope, didn't agree. Said | wasn't sure what | was planning on doing today.

| guess she took that as an invitation to make the decision for me.

Knowing there's no use in arguing, | take the outfit and head for the bathroom, dressing quickly. The blouse is

loose and flowing, but the pants cling to my legs in a way that makesfeel exposed. And the heels... | wobble

precariously, using the counter for support.

When | emerge, Selene lets out a low whistle. Looking good, pup. You clean up nicely.

| shoot her a glare, but Ivy seems pleased. "Much better. Here, put these on—" and she tosses a few accessories

at me, statement pieces that probably cost more than my annual salary, "—and grab your things and let's go!

We've got a full day ahead of us."

Reluctantly, | follow her out of the apartment, leaving my burner phone behind. I don't want to risk Ivy seeing it

and asking questions. As we step out onto the sidewalk, a sleek black sedan idles at the curb, the driver hopping

out to open the door for us.

"Where are we going, exactly?" | ask as we slide into the plush leather seats.

Ivy givesa conspiratorial grin. "You'll see. Just sit back and lettake care of everything." Then she looks