Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 227 Lucas: War Is Here (II)

Knowing Ava is relatively safe, even if I have to rely on strangers to keep her that way, lifts a giant boulder of worry from my shoulders.

My wolf, of course, paces in the back of my mind, snapping at the air, frustrated with me. With her. With everything.

She's too far, he growls. We should be with her, not here.

The same complaints I've heard since I let her return to Blackwood. It's like a madness in my mind, the desire to rush to her side and drag her back home, damn the consequences.

The only reason he kept quiet during the Council's visit is because he didn't want any of those alphas near her. He's still upset over Clayton, though our wolves seemed to have reached some sort of truce between us.

The fact that Clayton's given way with such grace probably helps.

Alpha, there's another group of wolves moving in from the southwest. I've dispatched scouts to check on them, but I have a feeling that these are Whispering Pines wolves, not rogues. Ryder's voice intrudes on my musings, quieting my wolf for a moment.

Got it.

Frustrated, I rub my hands over my face. The Council had met one last time, to work over the logistics of moving forces and how to handle the distribution of our fighters and leaders to avoid conflict. Instead, Alpha Talon had come in with a declaration that the Council had overstepped, throwing a verbal bomb into the middle of an already volatile situation.

With the suspicious timing of multiple rogue wolf raids on my people mere hours after he denounced the Council and said his pack would no longer be a part of tyranny, we've had no rest.

It's like a leaking boat, only we can't find the damn leaks.

I shove my phone into my pocket, my jaw clenched tight, as I head for the large office where the Council has been meeting. My wolf paces restlessly in my mind, agitated by the distance from Ava and the looming threats.

she leans over the large map spread across the table. She looks up, greeting me with a polite nod, but I

of scouts has been sent to the

the table, I glance over the map. "My Delta's informed me. So far, no news from the Blackwood

the familiar landmarks, we both trace the likely path of the newcomers, and I feel a growl building in my chest as we reach

Pines," I mutter, frustration coloring

Pines wolves, Lucas, there's no going back. This will be war. This isn't just a Council blow-up

molars grind together, and the duplicity of Alpha Talon burns in my gut. I'd never trusted the man, but this level of betrayal is more than I ever expected

this?" Alpha Twilight Ridge asks, her

run a hand through my hair, exhaling slowly. "No," I admit. "I never trusted him, but this is beyond what I thought him capable of. I never thought he would side with Renard over the established territories. It seems too risky of a

between our territories on the map. "I can't in good conscience approve a war without absolute proof that he's behind these rogue

stress and worry, snaps. "Then leave," I growl, meeting her gaze with a hard stare. "If you can't handle the blood on your hands, go. I won't wait for the Council's approval to defend my

with tension. Alpha Twilight Ridge holds my gaze, neither backing down nor rising to the challenge.

abandon Westwood in your time

comment. She turns back to the map, her fingers tracing

wonder what he did to get into Alpha Talon's head. What could

harsh in the quiet room. "Talon's neutrality was nothing more than a disguise for his greed for power. He's always wanted

her eyes sharp. "And you think

he can make a move. Expand his territory, maybe even challenge for leadership of the Council. Either that, or he's working

a risky gamble," she muses. "If he fails, he loses

I counter. "For someone like Talon, the potential reward

we protect what's ours. It takes effort to keep him in check, to

next move, Lucas?" Alpha Twilight Ridge

our borders, my mind working through strategies. "We wait for confirmation from the scouts. If it is Talon's wolves, we move to intercept them before they can breach