Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 282 Ava: A Meeting of Allies

Dr. Blackwell—or, as Lisa calls him, the Grand Sage—holds out his hand for a very human handshake, his eyes twinkling in my direction. "It is good to finally meet you, Ava Grey. I've heard so much about you."

From who?

"Hello," I offer cautiously, despite knowing he's one of the good ones. His handshake is firm, even if his hand is as small as a child's.

"It will be good for magic to flourish once again," he continues, and I blink.

"Excuse me?"

Dr. Blackwell's words hang in the air, and I'm not sure how to respond. Magic flourishing? What does that even mean? Before I can formulate a coherent question, Kellan clears his throat.

"I apologize for the delay in bringing Dr. Blackwell," he says, his voice oddly stiff.

Lisa's reply is equally stilted. "It's okay."

Their awkward exchange is so unnatural that I have to fake a cough to hide my amused smile. Despite the gravity of our situation, it's almost comical to see them dance around each other like this.

His expression turns serious as he continues. "I was discussing recent events with Dr. Blackwell. The Westwood Pack is caught in the middle of an incredible war that will change our world."

Everyone nods solemnly; there's no surprise here.

Still, my stomach twists with anxiety as we put it into words.

after their first retreat. While he was not the only one to deal with a secondary attack, it was the worst of them. We lost all but fifteen of

thinking of Mia and Chloe and their betrayal. Kellan places his

have been confirmed as traitors," Kellan explains to Marcus and

must have already been briefed on the situation here. The healer just sighs,

other hand, turns his attention to Lisa. "Speaking of trust,

immediately, and I can't help but bristle at his regard of my best friend. I struggle to keep my expression neutral as everyone's gaze flicks between

see the veins in his arms popping from how tensely he's

I state

shakes his head. "Her trustworthiness isn't the issue,

in my veins. "The number of people we can truly trust is already low.

inclines his head. "Understood,

regards me thoughtfully, his dark eyes hiding whatever thoughts are going on inside his head. As he continues, Lisa leans back against him. "As for the situation within the Westwood Pack since Lucas has been... incapacitated as alpha..." He pauses, and I feel my heart clench at the mention of Lucas. "It's been almost impossible to

to get worse now that Ava is here and he is still absent from

Alpha challenges.

drains from my face. Lucas is in no shape to be challenged.

fear takes a sharp left to anger. How dare they? After everything Lucas has

meets my gaze, steady

Shit.

in, sounding worried. "His healing rate is abysmal. It's human-rate. There are so many theories, the doctors are tied up in knots. They think he's cursed somehow, but no one knows if

as several eyes cut in his direction,

of curse? What