Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 67 Ava: Their Plans (I)

Every day that passes is a slight uptick in my stress level. Mom and Dad are never home, busy with something. I haven't seen Phoenix since the day we spoke in the kitchen. And Jessa has been less than receptive over talking about future plans with me.

The fragile alliance feels like it's crackling away beneath my fingers, like old paper that disintegrates with the faintest touch.

So when Phoenix comes by without Jessa around, dismissing my guards, my heart jumps into my throat. It's hard to swallow the water I'd just sipped out of one of mom's coffee mugs.

"Hi."

"Hey." Phoenix looks me over, rubbing his left brow in a mannerism that's new to me. "They're planning the mating ceremony for next week. Mom's in charge."

"Oh."

What else is there to say? We all knew it was coming.

It's odd how peace flows through me at the announcement. It's like my body understands that I'm either going to escape or die trying, because there's no way in hell I'll ever let Alpha Renard near me like that.

"Have they sent you to the healer yet?"

I shake my head. "I haven't heard a word about any of this."

Phoenix sits at the kitchen table, so I sit across from him, setting my glass of water aside. The tightness in my throat makes it too hard to swallow. "How much do you know about the pack situation, Ava?"

My lips quirk up into a mocking smile. "How often do you think people inform me about anything, Phoenix?"

my words but otherwise unmoved by them. It's just a clear indicator that he's only here for his own interests.

just wants to

the walls I've

was for her to mate with the beta or

seat. Was this before or after Lucas suddenly

actions feel somehow tainted. Was

me a moment to process as he continues, "Westwood's been accusing us of attacking their wolves at the border, but all their

conversation between

have rogues encroaching on our side, attacking our scouts. The Council's kept their paws off for now as there is no clear evidence of a war brewing between each pack." His brown eyes, cold like Dad's, bore into mine. "That's what's kept peace here so far.

I understand, even as I'm confused he's

Westwood's aggressiveness has increased since the

My entire body stiffens.

have reports that you were with him in the garden, and he left in anger. What

was, and he was flirting with me. Once he found out my name, he left." I

leans back with a sigh. "We had reports that Lucas had been sniffing around, trying to get information on you. Once we heard that, we put every pack in the Northwestern Territories on alert for you. We needed to

must have been out searching. The ones in the Novel Grind watching me must have been trying to see

When you first disappeared, the alpha told us to leave you alone, that searching for you would make us

my family didn't look for me. I want to roll my eyes at the blatant gaslighting, but I just keep listening, wanting

changed, and Alpha Renard developed a keen interest in bringing you back. I was in charge of

Go, Lisa!

He thinks they know about our plans. Are

shake my head again, in firm denial. "I didn't tell him anything, Phoenix. I never got a chance. The moment

of you there, we branched out, asking other clans to help find you. The plan was to use you to approach