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."

cigarette, I inhale deeply, letting the harsh smoke fill my lungs before exhaling a plume into the stale air. My deltas are on

home, under guard at all times. Further, that idiot alpha brought in an Unregistered into

our own could be that level of stupid. We know better than to consort with those unwilling to abide by the standards we've

of a dumbass. He has little connection with the humans in his territory. Consorting

taboo and the witness saved after the last attack, we

to be rebuilt in the aftermath, even

for that shit. I can't risk them hiding her

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

worth their rank would have allowed so many to settle in these human towns, and yet Blackwood has done

Sheer arrogance.

be his

lands, but I'm grateful for it. It's

A tremor of anticipation courses through me, fueled by the thought of her being

to choose me... But I'm not stupid. I can't force it. If I have to, I'll bring her back to

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.

fingers 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 wouldn't keep

of others knowing more about her than me,

and my wolf snaps at the air in my mind.

wants his

need to

stubbing out my cigarette with more force than necessary. My newest delta straightens his shoulders. "Prepare a small team—no more than five. We're going in quiet, just you and

hesitates. My deltas aren't too scared to run their mouths, but they know I have a short fuse when it comes to my

will, a full-scale invasion will only endanger her further. This has to be clean, precise. In and out before

can proceed to

They know the lengths I'll go to