Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 186 Ava: Lucas, Short-Sighted

"A war would decimate our world," Kellan says. "The vampires won't take that risk. They're outnumbered by our packs."

"Outnumbered, yet they waltz into our lands as they please and have taken how many of our young lives?" Jericho counters. "Do you even know how many vampires are behind this? Is it one? Or several? And what do you hope the answer is?"

"One, of course—"

"And what are you going to do when only one vampire can breach your defenses so easily? Imagine when twenty of them join hands."

Kellan's mouth snaps closed, and Lucas growls in frustration. "You have something to say, old man. Spit it out."

"You've been taking this threat too lightly. Too focused on your mate to see the forest for the trees. No vampire would do this for one little thrall. What do they hope to gain by antagonizing our pack?"

"They're working with Renard. He's always been out to increase his land and power."

Jericho's gaze bores into Lucas, a withering stare that seems to strip away years of authority and experience, reducing my mate to nothing more than a foolish pup. The old wolf's words slice through the tension like a razor, each syllable dripping with disdain.

"Why in the seven hells would vampires ever ally with an idiot like Renard?"

The question hangs in the air, a challenge and an accusation all at once. Lucas stiffens beside me at the challenge, but the old wolf isn't finished.

"Not all vampires live in the Unregistered Communities," Jericho reminds us, his tone sharp with impatience. "Only the ones who refused to submit to human oversight. If those cities are starting to fight back, we're looking at a war on a national scale. It won't be just Westwood's problem anymore."

A war between vampires and shifters, spilling out beyond the borders of our territories and into the human world? The thought alone is enough to make my blood run cold.

But Lucas isn't ready to concede the point. "If that's true," he counters, "then why aren't other packs reporting similar issues? Everything that's happened so far can be traced back to Renard's greed for Ava."

"Until now." Jericho jabs his thumb over his shoulder, out the window. "They took the bodies tonight. What does that have to do with Renard or Ava?"

because we all know there's no answer to

"You're still young, Alpha. Too inexperienced. Keep your eyes and ears open, if you want

* * *

until Kellan and Jericho leave that the tension

me, petting Selene with absent-minded strokes of his hand, oblivious to how

corners of his eyes, the

Lucas never took advantage of the resource right in front of him. He should have asked Jericho about his experiences

pack and Lucas himself, yet at times, he's dismissed as nothing more than

curiosity mirrors

all be set aside in order to work together against the enemy. Someone like Jericho should have been leading tonight.

a heavy sigh and reaches for me, pulling me into his lap and resting his chin atop my head. The warmth

his breath tickling my ear. "When

words. "I was worried," I admit, my voice barely above a whisper. "But I truly believe that Sister Miriam doesn't

arms tightening

plan, though," I continue, choosing my words carefully. "And I'm not sure if

falling apart," Lucas mutters, his voice laced with frustration. "My authority and strength is undermined with these attacks on our

meet his gaze with a reassuring smile. "You're doing great, Lucas. But maybe… Just maybe, you should listen

out loud, feeling like those

flicker of amusement dances in his eyes, a brief respite from the gravity of our situation. "You just want to run

Selene sneezes.

I don't want to go into danger. I'm starting to understand the immense

words tumble out of me, a confession long overdue, as I

quiet, content to let the gravity of the moment reign. It's a relief to

accepted the bond in its entirety? My place within the pack? The responsibilities

for my demands and for holding myself apart from the pack. As your mate, I know I fall short. I haven't been