Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 300 Ava: Present Her as Luna

How could I have forgotten, even for a moment? Lucas has lost everything—his memories, his sense of self, even his wolf. And here he is, surrounded by unfamiliar faces, hearing whispers of betrayals by his own pack.

The pack he can't remember. Can't hear.

My heart aches. How terrifying and isolating it must be, to wake up in a place you don't recognize, with people claiming to know you, to care for you, when you can't remember a single thing. The vulnerability, the constant state of wariness—it must have been exhausting.

I glance at Lucas, really seeing him now. The slight furrow between his brows, the tightness around his eyes, the way his muscles are coiled. He holds tension in every fiber of his body, carrying this burden alone, while I've been too caught up in my own emotions to understand what he's going through.

No wonder he didn't react well to me coming around and telling him all about how we're mates.

It's just noise at that point, isn't it?

I reach out, gently tapping his arm to get his attention. When he turns those intense golden eyes on me, I lean in close, my lips nearly brushing his ear as I whisper, "Vanessa can be trusted. I trust her with my life."

I feel the change in him almost immediately. The tension in his muscles eases, just a fraction, but it's there. He doesn't relax completely—I doubt he's capable of that right now—but there's a subtle shift in his demeanor.

Vanessa's eyes widen slightly, and I know she's sensed the change too. Her gaze flicks between us.

"How are you feeling, Lucas?" Vanessa asks, her voice gentle and professional. "Any lingering pain or discomfort?"

Lucas shakes his head. "No pain. Fever's gone." His voice is gruff, but not cold.

She glances toward me. "The fever came from the proximity to your mate's heat. Now that the mating mark has been applied, it shouldn't be quite so extreme. We did evacuate all unmated males once we realized her heat was approaching…"

Evacuate. Wow. It makes me sound like a natural disaster.

Though, thinking of how my heat had affected even Clayton… Okay. I get it.

nice to get a

hesitates. "A heads-up… on

the first time, the title almost feels like it fits. Maybe it's the mating

supposed to admit that I didn't realize my heat was coming up again? I should have been on high alert, knowing that we didn't

I lie blatantly, without

the general gist of the situation from

* * *

stand. "My apologies, Luna. However, as lovely as it

has me sitting

flick toward Lucas, who inclines his head

firm, sending a vague thrill

little unrest among the pack. I believe it would be

watch Vanessa carefully, feeling Lucas tense behind me. His reaction sends a ripple of concern through my body. I squeeze his hand, hoping to

by proclaiming my position?" I ask, my voice steady despite the

her expression serious. "The Alpha would present you as his Luna

filled with ceremony and celebration. But given the current state of the pack—displaced, uncertain, and missing far too many of its members—it hardly seems appropriate to

elaborate event," Vanessa continues, echoing my thoughts. "However, given

the recent conversation with Kellan. His worried words about potential alpha challenges echo in

My skin crawls.

to avoid that level of discontent among his

Lucas, studying his face. His jaw is set, tension visible in the lines around his eyes. He doesn't look

says, his voice low and firm. "As an official pack

great way to boost morale, and cement loyalty among

safety warms my heart, but I can't help feeling a surge of determination. His pack needs stability, needs to see strength in its leadership.

continue his objections, I squeeze his hand again and turn to Vanessa. "I think it's a great

responsibility. Putting my position in the pack in the hands of its members, wanting them to approve