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.

or upset in any way. Then again, he was only irritated with Lisa; maybe it's

"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 he might be stronger than

"You know, it's really weird to keep calling him 'Lucas' wolf' or just 'the wolf.' Doesn't

her reluctance through our bond. He did, once. But that was a

on," I prod

huffs, clearly uncomfortable. In our past life, when

"Aurum?"

moment the name leaves my lips, the wolf's ears perk up. His golden eyes

time. The wolf—Aurum—lets out a soft whine and nuzzles my

that name holds some

past life, apparently.

exactly

minute to reorganize. I

steps away from Lucas—Aurum—now that her examination is over, taking a chair at the table. "How can

even perk up for this conversation, I realize she has no interest in clarifying

I hedge. "It's just part of

muses, standing beside his wife as he leans against the dining table, his arms crossed over his broad

stopped teaching it in school in my parents'

my thoughts to Selene. Is this what he looked like

Yes, she says shortly.

you tell

goes stubbornly silent,

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

Alpha," Vester says, reaching out to brush some hair from her face. "Don't be too worried. Can't you