Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 256 Ava: The World Burns

Acarus holds up his hands. "Calm down, little witch. Your alpha is alive."

Alive.

What a weird way to put it.

Wouldn't someone normally say, your alpha is fine?

"What happened?" I ask, sitting back in the chair as I focus my gaze on Acarus.

"Great change. Rebellion. The end of days."

I frown. "What do you mean, a great change?"

The air is heavy, making it hard to breathe. Or maybe it's just that my chest is tight.

Acarus leans forward, his eyes intense. "The supernatural communities have risen up against the limitations imposed by human laws. It's not just the wolf packs. Registered communities, unregistered cities—they're all involved. War is everywhere."

Marcus's brow furrows. "How widespread is this unrest?"

"It started here," Acarus explains, "but once the media caught wind of it, riots spread to large communities across the country. This anger has been simmering for a long time. Many feel the humans have chained us with their biased laws."

My heart races. "Just tell me what happened to Lucas," I demand, worry coloring my tone.

Acarus inclines his head, his expression softening slightly. "He's recovering in a hospital."

Relief and consternation flow through me. A hospital? Then that means he was injured. How? Why? By who?

"Westwood is now under the control of rogue supernaturals. And Blackwood... My apologies, Ava. Alpha Renard has retaken it."

Lucas has been defeated.

And my father's back in power.

The implications make my head spin.

Marcus speaks up, his voice tight with concern. "That doesn't explain why we haven't been able to contact anyone from the packs."

Acarus sighs. "Most modern communication methods have been hijacked. It's impossible to contact people via phone. I'm not familiar with the technical terms, but it's some form of hacking. It's beyond even what humans are capable of. Probably the work of gnomes or Fae."

I interrupt, struggling to comprehend. "How is it even possible to take down an

"That is as much as I understand. Beyond that, you would have to discuss with

Then, a thought strikes

an eyebrow, surprise evident in his features. "You still care about the Aspen

wondering if I'll ever outlive that presumption. "It's just... Clayton's been in Westwood and Blackwood for so long. I hope he's

Shadowpine has returned to his pack, but I'm not certain." He pauses, his gaze intense. "Ava, I don't think you understand

Marcus and Vanessa tense

outside right now," Marcus says, his voice low and

bewilderment. "There's an easier way to show her what I mean,"

front of Marcus and Vanessa, a pang of guilt hitting me as I realize they haven't even had a chance to take a bite. Then again, they don't trust Acarus not to

already leading us

the world I thought I

contained panic as she describes the scene unfolding behind her. New York City, a place I've only seen

recognize, littered with... bodies.

across the city... hospitals overwhelmed...

can't. My eyes are glued to the screen, taking in every horrific detail. Smoke rises from

them stops for a quick interview. They

Run.

Run for your lives.

the screen hammer home the reality of what

ARMAGEDDON: SUPERNATURALS BETRAY HUMANITY

NO CITY

100,000 IN

SENT

couch, unable to tear my eyes away from the nightmare playing out before me. I feel Marcus's hand on my

between humans and

Humans will never trust us again. Will we have to

feel myself dissociating from the moment,

camera are running. From

don't cut away to anchors safe in a building somewhere, citing technical difficulties. Instead, we follow along a nauseating

at all, and a

down,"

did they take

on, is the

think so. Let

dirt off the lens.

debris everywhere. We're safe,

every major city…" The camera returns to a horrified anchor who speaks