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.

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

body, checking him over with deft, professional movements. "He's much larger than before, but I'm not sensing

keep calling him 'Lucas' wolf' or just 'the wolf.' Doesn't he

her reluctance through our bond. He did, once.

I prod gently.

huffs, clearly uncomfortable. In our past life, when we were... closer, I called him

"Aurum?"

my lips, the wolf's ears perk up. His

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

seems like that name holds

from his past life, apparently. The one

life? Ava, what exactly happened when you

all the tidbits of information in my head take a minute to reorganize. I can't

how is this possible?" Vanessa steps away from Lucas—Aurum—now that her examination is over, taking

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

hedge. "It's just part of what makes her

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

I'm not familiar with Latin. They stopped teaching it

I point my thoughts to Selene. Is

Yes, she says shortly.

didn't you tell

goes stubbornly silent, leaving me frustrated

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

to brush some hair from her face. "Don't be too