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."

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

at her family home, under guard at all times. Further, that

level of stupid. We know better than to consort with those

with the humans in his territory. Consorting with an Unregistered is nothing to someone who doesn't care about the humans in

and the witness saved after the last attack, we finally

rebuilt in the aftermath, even as I ignore all convention to declare it without

time for that shit. I can't

all my wolves into a city near the heart of his pack lands. They have no presence in the human cities, and no humans here are loyal

alpha worth their rank would have allowed so many to settle in

Sheer arrogance.

his

infiltrate their lands, but I'm grateful for it. It's kept her safe while I finally made my

the thought of her

not stupid. I can't force it. If I have to, I'll bring her back to Cedarwood

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 thought of storming Blackwood lands like some mindless barbarian. There has to be a better

of my heart. Renard Blackwood is a sly old bastard, that much is certain. He wouldn't keep Ava close without good reason. Is there a secret behind her?

of others knowing more about her than me,

my wolf snaps

wants his

plans need to

going in quiet, just you and me at the front. The rest will hang back as support.

fuse when it comes to my mate. "You want to go in alone? With

tone leaves no room for argument. "If Ava is being held against her will, a full-scale invasion will only endanger her further. This has to be clean, precise. In and out before Blackwood even knows we're there. We don't

proceed to wipe

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