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.

been nice to get a heads-up,

hesitates. "A heads-up… on your

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

supposed to admit that I didn't realize my heat was coming up again? I should have been

I lie blatantly, without

gotten the general gist of

* * *

lie stand. "My apologies, Luna. However, as lovely as it is to

in her voice has me sitting up a little straighter.

Lucas, who inclines his head in her direction.

words is firm, sending a

little unrest among the pack. I believe it would be in our best

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

you mean by proclaiming my position?" I ask, my voice

present you as his Luna to

a grand affair, 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

elaborate event," Vanessa continues, echoing my thoughts. "However, given our circumstances, we believe a

to the recent conversation with Kellan. His worried words about potential alpha challenges echo in my memory. With Lucas still

My skin crawls.

avoid that level of discontent

set, tension visible in the lines around his eyes. He doesn't look pleased

he says, his voice low and firm.

a great way to boost morale, and cement loyalty

determination. His pack needs stability, needs to see strength in its leadership. And if I can provide that, even in some small way, isn't it my duty to

I squeeze his hand again and turn to Vanessa.

spent so long avoiding responsibility. Putting my position in the pack in the hands of its members, wanting them