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!"

Marcus slams on the brakes. Gravel crunches under the tires, and I barely catch myself before my face

body

road I hadn't even noticed. The sudden turn sends a jolt of adrenaline through my system, momentarily distracting me from the constant itch of magic under my

mutter, rubbing my elbow where it smacked against the

path ahead. Trees press close on either side, branches scraping against the truck's exterior. It's a small forest here, much more densely wooded than the places we've passed on our

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

the picturesque setting that captures

life? The children playing, the daily routines that should animate a community? Instead, a group of wolves

the Westwood I know. This is

and I'm out the door before Marcus can fully engage the parking brake. My eyes

I spot him, broad-shouldered

him, questions tumbling from my lips before I can

recent days. He holds up a hand, silencing my barrage of questions. "Ava, there's a lot we need to discuss before I can take

drops. "But he's here,

cottages scream hospital to me. And unlike the

but his tone does little to reassure

Complicated doesn't begin to cover the chaos we've been through. I

recognize Ryder, one of Lucas' deltas—embraces Vanessa. The reunion of brother and sister would be

ask, noticing the absence of Vanessa's mate among

guiding me towards a small cabin set apart from the

Vanessa being led in a different direction by Ryder. The separation makes my skin prickle, and I scratch at my arms furiously in

for so long. Being

on?" I demand as we approach the cabin's door. "Why

pauses, his hand on the doorknob. "Ava, I need you to

"Protect us from what?"

meet mine, and the weight of responsibility in them is staggering. "From forces that want to tear

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