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.

he was only irritated with

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

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

flatten against her head, and I can feel her reluctance through

I prod gently.

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

"Aurum?"

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

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

that name

past life, apparently.

what exactly happened when you

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 what anymore. "Selene has memories of her past life, and she and Aurum were

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

this conversation, I realize

"It's just part of what

his arms crossed over his broad

teaching it

I point my thoughts

Yes, she says shortly.

you

goes stubbornly silent, leaving me

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

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