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.

lifts his head, surprisingly not growling or upset in any way. Then again, he was only irritated with Lisa;

but I'm not sensing any issues in his

to Selene. "You know, it's really weird to keep calling

ears flatten against her head, and I can feel her reluctance through our bond. He did,

I prod gently.

our past life, when we were... closer, I

"Aurum?"

wolf's

confidently this time. The wolf—Aurum—lets out a soft whine

that name holds some

his past life, apparently. The one he

"Past life? Ava, what exactly happened when you tried to

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 and Aurum

this possible?" Vanessa steps away from Lucas—Aurum—now that her examination is over, taking a chair at the table.

don't even perk up for this conversation, I realize she has no interest

"It's just part of what makes her

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

familiar with Latin. They stopped teaching it in

fur, I point my thoughts to Selene. Is this

Yes, she says shortly.

you tell

she goes stubbornly silent, leaving me frustrated and

his shifted form change?" Vanessa wonders. "I don't know how

says, reaching out to brush some hair from her face. "Don't be too