Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 323 Ava: Luna's First Trial (II)

I blink, taken aback by their united front. My gaze shifts between Vester and Vanessa, trying to process their suggestion. A knot forms in my stomach as the implications of their words sink in.

"You're suggesting that I lie." My words come out flat. Disappointment churns in my chest.

Vanessa shakes her head. "No, Luna. Not lie. We're suggesting a strategic approach to the truth."

"A strategic approach to the truth," I repeat, the words tasting bitter on my tongue. "That sounds an awful lot like lying by omission."

Vester steps forward, his expression earnest. "Luna, please understand. The pack is already on edge. If they were to learn that their Alpha's condition caused such widespread aggression, it could destabilize us further."

I run a hand through my hair, even though it isn't in my face. My hands just need something to do. They're shaking. "But isn't honesty important? How can I expect the pack to trust me if I'm not forthcoming with them?"

"Trust is built on more than just raw honesty," Vanessa says gently. "Sometimes, it's about providing the stability and leadership the pack needs, even if that means carefully managing certain truths."

My eyes dart to Aurum, still lounging on the floor. His golden gaze meets mine, and for a moment, I wish I could ask him what he thinks. But he can't answer, can he? And even if he could, would the wolf understand the nuances of pack politics?

I wish Lucas was here to take these reins. I'm not fit to make these decisions.

But he's not.

It's pointless to sit here and whine about it.

wrong," I tell them, though

echoes in my mind. Politics is rarely about what feels right, little witch. It's about what

almost snort out loud. Of course he'd say that. I'm not sure he has much empathy

what keeps

well. The book isn't wrong. Sometimes protecting

at lying, even by omission. But then again, I've never been responsible for an entire pack

now. "We're not asking you to fabricate a story. We will not punish any of these wolves for their actions. It is nothing more than window

little, anyway. "And what would

accounts, show understanding for their actions while still emphasizing the importance of pack unity and control. Then, you'd issue a fair judgment. Knowing they weren't in their right mind, you can attribute it to stress and tell them you're letting it go this time, with a warning for

my lower lip, weighing the options. On one hand, the idea of withholding information from the pack feels fundamentally wrong. On the other, I can see the logic in their argument. If the pack loses

alpha challenges will roll in

willing to risk that

are a big thing. A big, big thing.

"Won't the pack feel betrayed if

have stabilized. And if handled correctly, it may

shoulders, not theirs. But their faces are drawn, too. Vanessa's eyes are a little

taking this

care about their pack. Just like Lucas

reminder of just how precarious our

do you think? I

think you need to decide what kind of leader you want