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."

slowly, turning these facts over in my head, "Why weren't Lycans like this before? I mean, in

was uncommon to run across a feral Lycan. Usually

contain a Lycan soul and endure its primal instincts. This is precisely

Lycans? This doesn't

he's grown up with. I can't even remember if I've ever shared what I learned with

to be a lengthy explanation, I clear my throat. Even with as little time as I've spent with the book, I can recognize that he's

appreciate the history lesson, but maybe we should focus on

adds her own mental nudge, and Grimoire's

course. My apologies. I do tend to get carried away with

But it's too easy to try to avoid the problem in front of us, to get distracted by other things. I don't

too much at stake, and the idea that an alpha challenge could

think?" I ask, pulling his attention away from the book. "Should we

sure how I feel

chest. "Something tells me

wolf agrees, Selene says quietly. His wolf wants out.

doesn't mean this is a

said it won't

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

* * *

Lucas' mind

his tone is

matter how I try to feel for anything else, any glimmer of

hunting for, there's a vague sense that it's incomplete. Like a bridge

balm to my frayed nerves.

for mine, seeking to offer comfort. Before our