Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 321 Ava: His Name

"Holy shit," Vanessa breathes, her eyes wide. "Is that—?"

I nod, unable to keep the smile off my face despite the gravity of the situation. It's her first time seeing my mate's new wolf form. "Yep, that's Lucas."

Vester takes in the sight of the massive golden wolf sprawled across my living room floor. "How... when did this happen?"

"A couple hours ago," I say, running my fingers through Lucas' thick fur. He leans into my touch, a low rumble of contentment vibrating through his chest. "The short version is that we finally tried to unlock his memories, and... well, this was the result. I'm not sure why he looks different now. Maybe Sister Miriam will know.

Selene? Do you?"

Hmm, is her nonresponse.

Vanessa takes a tentative step forward, her healer's instincts clearly kicking in. "Is he okay? I mean, physically and mentally?"

A slight shrug. "Physically, he seems fine. Maybe even better than before. But mentally..." I trail off, glancing at Selene for support.

He's disoriented, Selene supplies. The wolf is in control right now, but he's not feral. Just confused. Waiting for Lucas.

I relay this information to Vanessa and Vester, watching as they exchange worried glances.

"Can he shift back?" Vester asks, the surprise on his face now faded back to his usual stoic expression.

I shake my head. "I don't know. Probably not. His wolf is the one in control right now. Lucas is still healing."

Vanessa kneels beside Lucas, her hand hovering just above his fur. "May I?" she asks, looking to me for permission.

his head, surprisingly not growling or upset in any way. Then again, he was only irritated with Lisa; maybe it's the lack

nod, and Vanessa gently places her hands on Lucas' wolf body, checking him over with deft, professional movements. "He's much larger than before, but I'm not sensing any issues in his joints. It's hard to tell without a full check-up, but I'd say

it's really weird to keep calling him 'Lucas' wolf' or just 'the wolf.' Doesn't he have

her head, and I can feel her reluctance through our bond. He did, once. But that was a

prod gently. "What

In our past life, when we

"Aurum?"

moment the name leaves my lips, the wolf's ears

I repeat, more confidently this time. The wolf—Aurum—lets out a soft whine

seems like that name

past life, apparently. The one

shoot up. "Past life? Ava, what exactly happened

all the tidbits of information in my head take a minute to reorganize. I can't remember who knows what anymore. "Selene has memories of her past life, and she

examination is over, taking a chair at the table. "How can someone remember their past

how her ears don't even perk up for this conversation, I realize she

"It's just part of what makes her so

crossed over his broad chest. "That's Latin for gold, isn't it? Seems pretty appropriate, considering

familiar with Latin. They stopped teaching it in school in my parents' generation, from what I

my thoughts to Selene. Is this what he looked like in your past

Yes, she says shortly.

didn't you

she goes stubbornly silent,

form change?" Vanessa wonders. "I don't know how the pack

all be able to sense he's Alpha," Vester says, reaching out to brush some hair from her face. "Don't be too worried. Can't you feel