Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 302 Ava: Strengthen Her Position

Selene ignores Lucas' reaction. Ava needs a show of strength when she's introduced to the pack. Too many know her as a Blackwood wolf, and all know she cannot shift. Once they know of me, it will be easier to form connections with the pack members.

Sister Miriam smiles faintly. "Those who want Ava's power would not care about her wolf, and Alpha Renard will lose interest in her once she is announced as the Westwood Luna. It is low risk, as I see it."

Lucas frowns, but his gaze settles on the gnome sitting quietly on the other side of the room. "Who are you?"

"Dr. Blackwell," I whisper in Lucas' ear. "He saved Lisa." Then, when I realize he doesn't understand, I add, "She's my best friend. The human with black hair. She's Kellan's mate."

"Ah."

Sister Miriam inclines her head toward Dr. Blackwell. "He is under an alias here in your territory, but he is a powerful figure among many supernaturals outside of your influence. The Grand Sage of the gnome community, and a pioneer in magical technology."

Lucas' emotions ripple through our bond, a mix of confusion and frustration that bleed over, affecting my own feelings. It leaves me antsy and tense.

Just push the bond away, Selene says then. Mate bonds can be very strong in early days. Your emotions will be mirrored if you can't get control of it.

He doesn't seem as affected as I am, but I imagine a thick blanket over his emotions, creating a small barrier between us. It's enough to ease the tension in my shoulders.

"It would be a good decision to placate the wolves," Vester says, his tone grim. "They need a little hope. Right now, even with the ability to sleep and rest, everyone's on edge."

"Morale is low. There are a lot of questions due to Alpha's absence. His unresponsiveness in the pack bond is also coming up, especially when

slow circles. The gesture is so familiar, yet tinged with the knowledge that for him, it's all new. I lean

Ava to be my buffer," he says, his words flat and cool, at odds

Alpha's regard. "We need to buy time and

rumble escapes Lucas, a low growl. "I will not hide behind

aren't intending for you to hide, Alpha. Merely boost confidence among our people. We have lost too many; we're a fraction of what we were. People

delta's eyes drop to the floor. "I can see the

to do

As do I.

"Do as

her throat. "With that decided, I'm here with

on Lucas' knee. Her

still weird to

words flowing with an eerie calm that sends a shiver down my spine. "There is no evidence of any supernatural activity within sixty miles in any direction," she reports,

Lucas tense beside me, his hand on my back stilling for a moment before resuming its comforting circles. The absence of supernatural activity should be reassuring, but knowing others are suffering only

on my

gaze shifts to Lisa, those unsettling red eyes boring into her. "It is good to know there are those who are not allied with our enemies," she says,

"The enemies of our enemies are our friends," he says. "We need

don't get it. They're all gone. How can we ally with dead