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.

incident were to occur, would we be able to handle the

Marcus exchange worried glances, their postures tense and alert. I can feel their apprehension radiating off them in waves, mingling with my

Orion, my voice carefully measured. "Magister Orion, forgive me for asking, but how can

an emotion I can't quite decipher—anger? Resentment? Something else entirely? "My personal feelings are irrelevant," he says, his tone

the word endure when thinking about spending time with a pack doesn't sound like a

travel to see you from time to time? Once a week?" The horror

at my feet, her

"Three times?"

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

new word, but something deep within me stirs, as if trying

voice resonates through the room, taking on the cadence of a professor in a lecture hall. "They

settle in the air, heavy with the weight

of; as wolves, we are raised with the Moon Goddess. And for humans, it's usually

Orion continues, a hint of amusement creeping into his

boring. Let me

turns to me, her lilac eyes sparkling. "You see, Ava, the Crone was the one to record the teachings and knowledge of the witches in this ancient book passed

is considered the beginning of the downfall of magic." The doom resonating in

sounds ominous, which is

closer, her 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 was destroyed, lost forever. And then there are those

Magister Orion's voice cracks like a whip, cutting off her rambling. "Go

are so dry! Nobody wants to listen

actually found

the pursuit of knowledge." Waving her off with one massive hand, he ignores her scowl as she scurries away, her wings