Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 257

Chapter 257 Ava: Everything's Changed

Acarus holds up a hand when Marcus opens his mouth. "Before you ask—remember, communications have been disrupted. Even the video you just watched is a recording. I'm sure there are people who know more about what is happening across the oceans, but I do not have any access to that information."

Unable to keep watching the TV, I head back to the relative peace of the dining room. All three of them follow behind.

"Every time we turn around, there's something new," Vanessa says, squeezing my shoulder in comfort. "It's okay to feel overwhelmed."

"I know." Taking a deep breath, I sink back into my chair and stab at the food in front of me. I'm not hungry, but energy is crucial right now. "I feel like our tiny story has been swallowed by a freaking space whale."

"Space whale?" Marcus and Vanessa sit on either side of me, and they both reach for the food they weren't interested in before.

"Yeah. It's from a show I watched with Lisa. They jump around in hyperspace and—"

Vanessa looks fascinated, but I can feel Marcus staring at the back of my head, probably wondering what crazy woman he's accepted as Luna.

"Anyway. They were huge," I mutter, dunking another piece of bread into my stew.

"I should really watch more TV," Vanessa says with a sigh. "The world out there is vast, and all I ever see of it is blood and guts."

The bread catches in my throat, and I cough violently. Marcus's hand thumps against my back, helping me clear my airway. I wheeze out a thanks, my eyes watering.

"For most people," I rasp at Vanessa, "your entire life would be a TV show. They're not used to werewolf shenanigans."

She sighs, her eyes distant. "It definitely feels like a movie now."

I nod silently, agreeing with her sentiment. The events of the past few weeks feel surreal, like I'm living in some bizarre alternate reality. Werewolves, magic, rebellions—it's all too much.

Acarus clears his throat, breaking through my thoughts. He addresses Marcus, who's shoveling food into his mouth like it might disappear at any moment. "Do you want to know your current location?"

Marcus nods, his cheeks bulging.

He resembles a grouchy chipmunk more than an apex predator. Have I ever seen him eat before? I don't think I have.

to me, and my heart rate picks up. "You're

the worry and fear, he's within reach. "Yes," I blurt out, already half-rising from

says, swallowing his mouthful of food. His hand on my arm is gentle but firm. "We

in agreement. "We can't just rush in blindly, Ava. We don't know what's waiting for us

into danger won't help anyone, least of all Lucas. "You're right," I concede, sinking back

assures me. "It's a matter

turns to Acarus, his expression serious. "What

falter. I'm not sure I want to know, but I have to

"He took a bad hit defending a group of human civilians caught in the crossfire. Multiple lacerations, some

over, troubled lines appearing around his eyes and mouth. The pit in my stomach grows deeper. Whatever happened, it

started with small skirmishes," Acarus begins, his voice low. "Rogues testing the borders, probing for weaknesses. Like your alpha, we assumed it was the Whispering Pines pack making their move.

forward, hanging on his every word. My hands clench

the central lands weak. Westwood, Blackwood, and Twilight Ridge were all attacked on the same day. It wasn't rogues anymore. Vampires

It was a massacre."

me. "What happened before was nothing more than a

I can practically see the tactical wheels turning in his head,

that isn't the

grim words turn

were mindless warriors. They were the

Mindless shifter warriors?

My stomach flips.

"Are you saying…"

me off, his voice tight. "Are you saying the

word for them." Acarus grimaces. "They are inexorable. Already

to my

Zombies.

Real ones.

the kinds

I could somehow shield myself from this nightmare. A violent shudder runs through my body, and I can't stop

soft cry. The sound is filled with disbelief and fear, mirroring

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