Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 263

Chapter 263 Ava: The Compound

My heart thumps hard, trying its best to knock my ribs out of place with excitement. "Is everyone okay? What's going on?"

Vanessa's eyes unfocus as she communicates with her mate. Waiting is like being bitten by a squad of fire ants, each prickle against my skin beginning to burn as I squirm, impatient for answers.

"He doesn't want to give any answers until we see him, but he said things are stable." There's an uncertain waver in her voice, but I keep quiet as she speaks with Vester, feeling my own unease building.

Stable.

That could mean a lot of things, and they aren't all good.

Marcus stiffens beside me and I glance out the window, expecting to see something on the road.

Nothing.

"There's a few scouts nearby," he says after a long pause. "Vanessa, you sense them?"

"Three," she confirms. "I'm not familiar with them, but I recognize them."

"We're about ten minutes out. We'll run into a few more waves of scouts, staggered so they can stay in contact." He glances at me. "Like a telephone relay."

"Ten minutes?!" Vanessa frowns. "Vester should have been able to reach me a long time ago."

"I should be able to reach the alpha," Marcus agrees. "But I can't."

"Something's wrong." The healer's look of relief is once again replaced by worry. "This isn't right."

"The area's safe, so just relax until we get there. Someone should be able to give us proper answers then."

I hope he's right.

* * *

"Shit. Hold on!"

throwing me against the door as Marcus slams on the brakes. Gravel crunches under the tires, and I barely catch

curses, her body sliding

hadn't even noticed. The sudden turn sends a jolt of adrenaline through

the hell cut out the seatbelts?" I mutter, rubbing my elbow where it

ahead. Trees press close on either side, branches scraping against the truck's exterior. It's

what seems like an eternity of bumps and swerves, the forest gives way to a clearing. My breath catches as I take in the sight before us. A cluster of cabins nestles against rolling hills, the structures weathered but sturdy. A creek meanders past, its gentle burble

it's not the picturesque setting that

daily routines that should animate a community? Instead,

isn't the Westwood I know. This is a

I'm out the door before Marcus can fully engage the parking brake. My eyes scan the gathered faces, searching desperately

him, broad-shouldered and steady.

I can

composed, shows the strain of recent days. He holds up a hand, silencing my barrage of questions.

drops. "But he's

hospital to me. And unlike the Fae Ward, I doubt there's magic

his tone does little to reassure me. "And he's... stable. But

the chaos we've been through.

Lucas' deltas—embraces Vanessa. The reunion

Vester?" I ask, noticing the absence

tightens almost imperceptibly. "Come with me," he says, guiding me towards a small cabin set apart from the others. It looks more

The separation makes my skin prickle, and I scratch

for so long. Being without

we approach the

I need you to

"Protect us from what?"

the weight of responsibility in them is staggering. "From forces that want to tear us

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