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."

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

was uncommon to run across a feral Lycan. Usually a rogue, with too little time spent in a

inherently too weak to contain a Lycan soul and

are these Lycans? This doesn't sound like

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

a lengthy explanation, I clear my throat. Even with as little time as I've spent with the book, I

sound firm instead of exasperated. "We appreciate the history

own mental nudge,

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

too easy to try to avoid the problem in front of us, to get distracted by other things. I don't want his memories

an alpha challenge could come at

do you think?" I ask, pulling his attention away from the

sure how I feel about

in here…" Lucas taps his chest. "Something tells me

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

that doesn't mean this is a great

thoughts toward Selene still feels awkward. You said it won't be easy. Do you really think you can

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

* * *

Lucas' mind is an

isn't inside you," Grimoire lectures, though his tone is kind. "It's in the

no matter how I open myself up, no matter how I reach, and no matter how I try to feel for

but now that I know what I'm supposed to be hunting for, there's a vague sense that it's incomplete. Like a bridge missing its

a soothing balm to my frayed

hand reach for mine, seeking to offer comfort. Before our fingers can touch,