Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 224 Ava: The Fae Ward (VI)

"Magister Orion." A little concerned at how the strange man who claims to be my teacher will respond to my next words, I brace myself once more for the flood of emotions that might roll off him. "I understand your wish for me to stay here and learn from you, but it is impossible for me to stay here for as long as you wish.

And with my wolf unable to tolerate your wards, it makes it even more impractical."

Wiw be fwine.

"No, it won't be."

Magister Orion's brow furrows as he scrutinizes Selene, his gaze sharp and assessing. The air thickens with tension.

Finally, he turns to me, his expression unreadable.

"If you cannot remain here in the Fae Ward, Ava Grey, then it is my duty as your mentor to go where you go."

Layla and Tinker erupt into a chorus of protests, their voices overlapping in a cacophony of disbelief.

"Magister Orion, you can't be serious!" Layla exclaims, her eyes wide with shock. "Leaving the Fae Ward? Impossible. Your request would be rejected on the spot!"

Tinker nods vigorously, her mechanical wings fluttering in agitation. "She's right, Magister. The Fae Ward is your domain. To leave its sanctuary is little better than," and her voice lowers to a whisper, "suicide!"

But Magister Orion is unmoved by their objections. He rises to his full, imposing height, his voice booming like thunder. "Enough! This goes beyond convention. I will not leave my chance at a student behind."

Watching the argument unfold, my stomach twists with unease. The idea of Magister Orion accompanying me back to the pack lands fills me with dread.

toward the wolves. If an incident were to occur, would we be able

can feel their apprehension radiating off them in waves, mingling with my

Orion, forgive me for asking, but how can you handle being on pack lands when

can't quite decipher—anger? Resentment? Something else entirely? "My personal feelings are irrelevant," he says, his tone clipped. "What matters is the greater purpose. If teaching you requires me to endure the presence of

process his words. Having to use the word endure when

to see you from time to time? Once a week?" The horror on his face

restlessly at my feet, her discomfort

"Three times?"

child. It's a daily exercise." He rubs between his eyebrows with a sigh. "If only

deep within me stirs, as

the gods. The witches of old." His voice resonates through the room, taking on the cadence of a professor in a lecture

settle in the air,

Moon Goddess. And for humans, it's usually God. Some few in the area even speak of Allah,

of amusement creeping into his tone, "though none of them were mothers, and

boring.

to record the teachings and knowledge of the

the gods did, which is considered the beginning

sounds ominous, which is

there, hidden away, waiting for the right person to find it. Others believe it was destroyed, lost forever. And then there are those

like a whip, cutting off

little woman pouts. "But Magister, your lecture are so

actually found

of knowledge." Waving her off with one massive hand, he ignores her scowl as