Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 53 Clayton: His Mate

CLAYTON

The elevator dings and the doors slide open, revealing the penthouse lobby of the Silvermoon Pack's largest hotel. I step out, my boots sinking into the plush carpet. Xavier and Lucas are already there, lounging on the leather couches like a pair of lazy lions.

"Clayton!" Xavier booms, rising to his feet. He clasps my hand in a firm shake, clapping me on the back with his other hand. "Good to see you, my friend."

"You as well, Xavier." I return his hearty greeting with a grin. "Lucas, always a pleasure."

Lucas stands, his smile not quite reaching his eyes as we shake hands. There's a tension in his shoulders, a tightness around his jaw. Something's weighing on him.

We settle into the couches, the city skyline glittering beyond the floor-to-ceiling windows. Xavier leans back, crossing his ankles. "How were your flights, boys? No troubles, I hope?"

I shake my head. "Smooth sailing for me. No disturbances."

Lucas's mouth presses into a grim line. "I wish I could say the same. Got another report of a dead scout right after I landed."

The air in the room shifts, the jovial atmosphere evaporating like mist under the morning sun. Xavier's brows knit together. "Shit. Blackwood?"

"Who else?" Lucas growls, his fingers curling into fists on his knees. "He's getting bolder, pushing further into our territory."

I lean forward, elbows on my knees. "What's your game plan, Lucas? We can't let this stand." The Blackwood alpha has been a massive thorn in the Northwestern Council's side for years. There have been several scuffles between the two packs, but Blackwood has even had run-ins with shifters outside of the Northwestern Territories.

Lucas drags a hand down his face, his eyes hard as flint. "I'm working on it. But every time I think I've got a handle on their moves, they slip through my fingers like smoke. I can't get my hands on solid proof to bring to the Council."

Xavier's expression is grave. "Without evidence to bring to the Council, my hands are tied."

only if we make this a Council affair. There are

his face, and I can see his exhaustion in the droop of his shoulders and the shadows under his eyes. "We sent Jessa Grey back to her pack. We used the official excuse that she hadn't asked for approval and was an unregistered guest in our

deep, steadying breath. There's a weight in the

finally, the words hanging heavy between

the words have robbed him of speech. I can only stare at Lucas, struggling to process

mate?" I echo, my voice hushed. "You've

and anguish. "Yeah. We met at the Lunar Gala a few months back." A rueful smile tugs at the corners of his mouth. "You know how they say it hits you like

the swirl of colors and music, the thrum of anticipation in the air as unmated wolves gathered in hopes of finding their other half.

she?" Xavier asks,

his head, his jaw tightening. "She's from

been shrouded in secrets,

I ask, my mind

Renard better than that. He's been sending Jessa after Kellan instead of me. I'm too dangerous to keep around, even mated." He looks down at his hands with a sigh. "I wish I'd thought about

eyes. "You

on reconciling. I left for a few days to deal with

speaking, the weight of his words settling over us. I can see the anguish in his face, the torment in his eyes. My gut clenches as

The mere idea of her being ripped away is enough to make my wolf howl in agony. He's obsessed with her,

thought away before it can

"The Aspen Pack stands with you. We'll leave no stone unturned until Ava is safely back in

in solemn agreement. "You have our full support, brother. The Silvermoon Pack will lend whatever aid is required to bring your mate home. Ava's a good child, very different from her family and alpha. You're a lucky man,

He lets out a long breath. "I can't lose her again. It took a long time to find her. I hear Blackwood started looking for her, too. That's why I

Xavier's brow arches. "Back?"

"She

startles us both, and he apologizes, smacking Lucas on the shoulder. "You're in for a ride with

not letting it go easily," he agrees, and for a second, we're all