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.

again, he

with deft, professional movements. "He's much larger than before, but I'm not sensing any issues in his joints. It's hard to

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

through our bond. He did, once.

I prod gently.

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

"Aurum?"

the wolf's ears perk up. His golden eyes lock

The wolf—Aurum—lets out

like that name holds some

from his past life, apparently. The one he

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

Pressing a hand to my forehead, all the tidbits of information in my head take a minute to reorganize. I can't remember who knows

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

up for this conversation,

part of what

the dining table, his arms crossed over his broad chest. "That's Latin

it

my thoughts to Selene. Is this what he

Yes, she says shortly.

you tell

stubbornly silent, leaving me frustrated and

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

Vester says, reaching out to brush some hair from her face. "Don't be too worried. Can't you feel it? How strong