Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 71 Lucas: Preparation

LUCAS

"You're positive?"

My still-smoldering cigarette is crushed into oblivion within the crystal ash tray, along with twenty of its kin. Smoke is an intrusive guest within the cramped room, swirling around the heads of both deltas standing before me.

Cheap motel rooms aren't meant to house three large wolf shifter males, but it is what it is.

"Positive," Ryder reports, cool as a fucking cucumber despite how much is riding on tonight.

The decision to invade Blackwood wasn't made lightly. Most of the pack fought against the decision, until two more scouts were found dead at the border.

And, most importantly, a witness.

That one was alive, though.

"Council won't move until we bring the official petition," Ryder continues, flipping through the notes in front of him. "Even so, Silvermoon forces near the border are confirmed and ready if we call for aid."

The chair creaks beneath my weight as I lean back, but surprisingly manages to stay together. "With this act of war, Council will have lost its authority, anyway."

My deltas say nothing. There isn't much to say—the fact that an alpha is willing to say as much is far beyond their pay grade. Silvermoon has allied with Westwood, and Aspen as well, though Clayton seems to be busy hunting down his own missing mate. It's an epidemic, and I'm positive it's all been orchestrated by the Blackwoods to weaken the packs.

Swaying the chair from side to side, I glance at the ceiling, thinking in between rhythmic creaks. "Ryder, head to Silvermoon. I'll contact you if we need the reinforcements. Vester, stay with us. You'll head off any runners from the south. Our goal is to cut off Blackwood's head today.

I don't want this war going on for years."

"Understood."

exhaling a plume into the stale air. My deltas are on edge, too, but they wait for my

on my mind. My elusive mate has been sighted at her family home, under guard at all times. Further, that idiot alpha brought in an Unregistered into his

never believed one of our own could be that level of stupid. We know better than to consort with those unwilling to abide

yet, Blackwood is truly that much of a dumbass. He has little connection with the humans in his

saved after the last

war. Reasons that will allow the Council to be rebuilt in the

have time for that shit. I

his pack lands. They have no presence in the human cities, and no humans here are loyal to the power of the pack

the rogues we've run into have been dominated with ease. No alpha worth their rank would have allowed so many to settle in these human towns, and yet Blackwood has done so,

Sheer arrogance.

his

to be quite so easy to infiltrate their lands, but I'm grateful for it.

mate. A tremor of anticipation courses through me, fueled by the thought of her being so tantalizingly close after all this time.

me... But I'm not stupid. I can't force it. If I

chair, letting it groan beneath my weight again, pondering our next move. The invasion plans are sound, our scouts are in position, and allies await the call to arms. But a part of me bristles at the

drum against the armrest, a steady rhythm matching the thump of my heart. Renard Blackwood is a sly old bastard, that much is certain. He

knowing more about her

builds up in my chest, and my wolf snaps at the

wants his mate

plans need

My newest delta straightens his shoulders. "Prepare a small team—no more than five. We're going in quiet, just you and me at the front. The rest will

aren't too scared to run their mouths, but they know I have a short fuse when it comes to my mate. "You want to go in

further. This has to

proceed to wipe them from this

glance with Vester, but both nod in reluctant agreement. They know the lengths I'll go to for her—have seen firsthand the fire that burns within me