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."

so," I interject slowly, turning these facts over in my head, "Why weren't Lycans like this

Lycan. Usually a rogue, with too little time spent in

my curiosity. "Ah, an excellent question! You see, the human mind is inherently too weak to contain

leans forward. "What are these Lycans? This doesn't sound like proper

anything about the true history of wolf shifters; only what he's grown up with. I can't even

Grimoire launches into what promises 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 getting

firm instead of exasperated. "We appreciate the history lesson, but maybe

mental nudge,

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

a little disappointed at the interruption. But it's too easy to try to avoid the problem in front of us, to get distracted by other things. I don't want his memories to

and the idea that an alpha challenge could come at any time has the area between my shoulder

his attention away from the book. "Should we try

not sure how I feel

in here…" Lucas taps his chest.

wolf agrees, Selene says quietly. His wolf

doesn't mean this is a great

funneling my thoughts toward Selene still feels awkward. You said it won't

her mental voice, firm and steady.

* * *

enter Lucas' mind

inside you," Grimoire lectures, though his tone is kind. "It's in the mental

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

know what I'm supposed to be hunting for, there's a vague sense that

balm to my frayed

to offer comfort. Before our fingers can touch,