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

completely closed to any of the large wolf packs.

tension in front of my desk tells me everything I need

Nothing.

a single lead outside of what Ava's learned

can't find even a rumor on

exists," Ryder agrees quietly. "Are you absolutely positive on the

grit out, unable to contain the flare of irritation at a

has no idea who gave me the

in a placating gesture that has my mental hackles

I scratch at my beard and lean back in my chair, the weight

mirrors my own. "What else can you tell me about the pack rites?" The words feel like sandpaper on my tongue. A funeral for all the young wolves lost in that massacre... children ripped from

ago to show solidarity during the service." Ryder's voice is steady, but I can see

what? I have nothing to tell their families, no justice to offer them. No way to ease

parents have 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,

the local police

will be. Humans have no idea

if 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