Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 170 Lucas: Rites

LUCAS

"Everything's ready for the pack rites, but are you sure our Luna won't be there?"

Delta Ryder looks as exhausted as I feel. Aside from the moments I stole to be with Ava at the expense of my pack duties, I've had no sleep or rest.

My wolf has been silent in my head since she left. We don't have the connection that Ava seems to have with Selene—our conversations aren't as in depth, and he doesn't feel like a completely separate entity as their bond is—but he still feels the loss of his pack children keenly.

He doesn't even have a name, and I can't believe I've never asked him about it.

I've always called him my wolf.

"No. She's intending to visit with her mother again and see if she can glean any more information." Not that I'm sure why. I want to tell Kellan to drag her back to Westwood at all costs, but that's a terrible way to keep her trust.

Despite having a magnet for trouble, I need to let her make decisions for herself.

Rubbing between my eyebrows, I shuffle through more reports. Another dead scout, though we can't find his body.

Ryder has a few humans he trusts in the Unregistered city, but we have no word from them and no way to check on them. They don't have a mind link like we do as shifters.

by distance, but

closed to any of the large wolf packs. Even the rogue shifters allowed within their

in front of my desk tells me everything I need to know

Nothing.

we haven't manufactured a single lead outside of what Ava's learned

find even a rumor on

have yet to even verify he exists," Ryder agrees quietly. "Are you

out, unable to contain the flare of irritation at a delta daring to

if he has no idea who gave me

has my

throat as I scratch at my beard and lean back in my chair, the weight of responsibility crushing my

tell me about the pack rites?" The words

to show solidarity during the service." Ryder's voice is steady, but I can see the pain in his eyes. "Your funeral clothes are ready for you in your

and sharp. All those innocent lives lost, and for what? I have nothing to

been calling every few hours for updates." His too-calm words pull me

over my face. "I'll call them in the morning." Even though we have no news, no hope to give them. Their daughter is still missing, likely suffering at the hands of a sadistic vampire, and

police being part of the

I already know what a disaster that will be. Humans have no idea about the supernatural world. They're not equipped to handle this

aware of their jurisdiction and would only send someone sensitive to the supernatural issues at play—were to join the