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

the city of vampires is as modern as they come and do business with the outside world, they are almost completely closed to any of the large wolf packs. Even the rogue shifters allowed within their city limits have no interest in working with an official pack. Bloodshed is

my desk tells me everything I need to know about the

Nothing.

manufactured a single lead outside

even a rumor on this

verify he exists," Ryder agrees quietly. "Are

to contain the flare of irritation at

idea who gave

placating gesture that has my mental hackles rippling. "I didn't

growl tears from my throat as I scratch at my beard and lean back in my chair, the weight of responsibility crushing my chest. After a few moments, I force myself to rein in

him mirrors my own. "What else can you tell me about the pack rites?" The words feel like sandpaper

during the service." Ryder's voice is steady, but I can see the pain in his eyes. "Your

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

for updates." His too-calm words pull me from my spiraling

a hand 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

on the local police being part

them." Though I already know what a disaster that will be. Humans

the Granite City police—who are well aware of their jurisdiction and would only send someone sensitive to the supernatural issues at play—were to join the investigation, it would be as nothing