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.

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

alert. I can feel their apprehension radiating off them in waves, mingling with my own

for asking, but how can

irrelevant," he says, his tone clipped. "What matters is the greater purpose. If teaching you requires

word endure when

from time to time? Once a week?" The

restlessly at my feet, her discomfort

"Three times?"

a daily exercise." He rubs between his eyebrows with a sigh. "If only the Crone's teachings

something deep within me stirs, as if trying

the blessing of the gods. The witches of old." His voice resonates through the room, taking on the cadence of a professor in a lecture hall. "They carried great weight on the shoulders of three priestesses who stood with the Goddess of Life, who gifted her

air, heavy with

never heard of; as wolves, we are raised with the Moon Goddess. And for humans, it's usually God. Some few in the area even speak of Allah, but my father forbade me from learning more about the

the names given to each priestess," Magister Orion continues, a hint of amusement

boring. Let me explain it to

one to record the teachings and knowledge of the witches in this ancient

is considered the beginning of the downfall

is absolutely what she's going

voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "Some say the Crone's book is still out there, hidden away, waiting for the right person to find it. Others believe it

whip, cutting off her rambling.

lecture are so dry! Nobody wants to listen to

actually found

of knowledge." Waving her off with one massive hand,