Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 315 Ava: Plan of Action, Finally

"The bomb is risky," I protest automatically. "You said it could shatter his mind."

Meanwhile, the rest of my brain is focused on this idea that Selene can somehow control Lucas' wolf. Really? He's an alpha. The strongest of the strong. Though, Selene showed her presence as Luna, and that was a force I never expected…

I am stronger, she asserts, sounding mildly insulted.

"Don't shatter it, then. Only weaken the barrier."

"Not destroy it completely?" I ask again, seeking clarification—because this is nothing like he explained earlier.

Grimoire's flames flicker as he nods. "Correct. Your magic would create a weak point, allowing Lucas' wolf to break through naturally."

"But then wouldn't that lead to my wolf side taking over?" Lucas asks, absently running a hand over my hair in a gentle caress. "Wouldn't that be the outcome we are trying to avoid?"

"Indeed," Grimoire confirms. "Once your minds reconnect, the wolf will become feral due to the breakdown of your psyche."

Feral. The image of Lucas' golden eyes, wild and uncontrolled, flashes through my mind. Reaching up to grab his hand, I link our fingers in a firm grip, even as my hand shakes at the worries of my mind.

"That's where Selene comes in, right?" My gaze never leaves Grimoire, my voice steady with false calm. "She can control his wolf. Keep him from becoming feral."

Grimoire looks pleased. "Precisely."

Forcing submission is not easy. Not when your opponent is an alpha.

But she doesn't sound like she opposes the plan.

Grimoire continues, his voice taking on a lecturing tone. "As long as Selene maintains control, Lucas will be able to recover his mental strength and regain balance. It's crucial to understand that Lycan and human souls can only coexist when the Lycan soul is tempered into submission."

in my head, "Why weren't Lycans like this before? I mean, in the

Lycan. Usually a rogue, with too

excitedly, clearly pleased by my curiosity. "Ah, an excellent question! You see, the human mind is inherently too weak to contain a Lycan soul and endure its primal instincts. This is precisely why the shifters of today

are these Lycans?

wolf shifters; only what he's grown up with. I can't even remember if I've ever shared what I learned with him

my throat. Even with as little time

I interject, trying to sound firm instead of exasperated. "We appreciate the history lesson, but maybe we should focus on the matter at

her own mental nudge, and Grimoire's flames

course. My apologies. I do tend to get carried away with the wealth of knowledge at my

But it's too easy to try to avoid the problem in front of us, to

and the idea that an alpha challenge could come at any time

I ask, pulling his attention away from

how I feel about

here…" Lucas taps his chest. "Something tells me to try

Selene says quietly. His wolf wants

this is a

it won't be easy. Do you really think you can do

first, there's silence. Then her mental voice,

* * *

mind is

you," Grimoire lectures, though his tone is

matter how I open myself up, no matter how I reach, and no matter how I try to feel for anything else, any glimmer of

hunting for, there's a vague sense that it's

to my frayed nerves. "It's

comfort. Before our fingers can touch, a sharp crack echoes through