Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted novel Chapter 326

LISA

The moment I step out of the car, a chill runs down my spine that has nothing to do with the temperature. Something’s off.

People hurry across the parking lot, their eyes downcast and shoulders hunched. Shopping carts rattle past, piled high with bottled water and toilet paper. It’s like everyone’s preparing for some impending disaster.

"What’s going on?"

Kellan appears at my side. "You feel it too, huh?"

I nod, watching as a mother hurries past with two small children in tow, her face pinched with worry. "This isn’t normal, is it? I thought these towns were supposed to be... I don’t know, untouched by everything."

He shakes his head grimly. "Looks like nowhere’s really safe anymore."

Another car pulls up nearby, and I recognize some of the wolfy bodyguards from our group. Kellan leans in close, his breath warm against my ear. "They’re going to gather some essentials, if there are any left."

"Good luck to them," I mutter, eyeing the frantic shoppers streaming in and out of the store.

We make our way towards the entrance, the Grand Sage and Elverly trailing behind us. It’s strange to see them so subdued, their usual chatter silenced. As we pass through the sliding doors, the tension only seems to increase.

Inside, the store is a hive of barely controlled chaos. People jostle each other in the aisles, their carts overflowing with canned goods and other non-perishables. The shelves are picked clean in places, gaping holes where everyday items used to be.

"This way," I murmur, leading our small group towards the jewelry and accessories section. It’s quieter here, removed from the frenzy of the grocery aisles.

The Grand Sage’s eyes widen as we approach the watch displays. "Fascinating," he whispers, leaning in close to examine the various timepieces.

I point out different styles, keeping my voice low. "These are digital watches," I explain, indicating a sleek black model. "They use electronic displays to show the time. And these over here are analog watches, with traditional clock faces and moving hands."

The Grand Sage nods, stroking his beard thoughtfully. "And which would be most suitable for our purposes, do you think?"

I consider for a moment. "Probably digital. They’re easier to modify, and the display could potentially show messages or other information beyond just the time."

He picks up a chunky sports watch, turning it over in his hands. "This one seems sturdy. Built to withstand various conditions."

"Good choice," I agree. "Those are designed for outdoor activities, so they’re pretty durable."

As the Grand Sage continues to examine the watch, I can’t help but glance around nervously.

"Have you decided on one?"

He holds up the sports watch. "I believe this will suffice. Now, we’ll need to acquire the necessary tools to modify it..."

As he speaks, I notice a small group of people approaching our section. They look different from the panicked shoppers—more purposeful, their eyes scanning the area with a predatory intensity that makes my heart race.

"Kellan," I whisper, nudging him gently.

He follows my gaze, his body tensing beside me. "I see them. Stay close."

The Grand Sage and Elverly pick up on the change in atmosphere.

"We should go," I suggest, trying to keep the tremor out of my voice. "We can figure out the rest later."

Kellan nods, his hand coming to rest protectively on my lower back. "Agreed. Let’s make our way to the checkout."

As we start to move, I catch snippets of conversation from the approaching group.

I hand over the money with shaking hands, willing her to hurry. Every second feels like an eternity as she bags the watch and hands me the receipt. _{freeweɓnøvel.com}