Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 328 Ava: Scouting Parties

Vester and Vanessa pore over a map unfurled on my dining table. Our ward stone of silence has gotten a lot of good use here, keeping everything private.

"This is the city they went to, right?" Vanessa asks, tapping her finger against the thick parchment.

"Yes. It's not as large as this one," and Vester taps at a city sixty miles away, "but it's a little farther, to throw off anyone searching for us."

The healer nods thoughtfully. "There are three main interstate highways branching off here, so it's a good choice. It's likely that the others went down this highway. It'll add another hour to their drive back, but should throw off anyone in pursuit, as well. If we send some scouts this way, they might be able to pick them up."

"My thought as well," her mate agrees. "But we will have to emphasize stealth. If there are groups searching for supernaturals, they would be able to pick up their scent."

Awkwardly, I lean forward to interrupt their conversation. "What about scent blockers? Can't we use those?"

"We can," Vanessa says with a wry smile. "But we don't have many, and have no way to replenish our stock. It is better to conserve those for emergencies."

"So, our scouts are also possibly leading any intruders straight to us?"

Vester's eyes meet mine, a hint of amusement dancing in their depths. "Of course not."

His words are reassuring, but a flicker of embarrassment flushes my cheeks. I never once questioned scouts in pack lands. They've been around all my life. Now that I'm here and worried about my people, I realize how little I understand.

There's so much to learn.

But there's too much at stake for me to wallow in self-doubt.

highly trained," Vester continues, his voice taking on a patient, instructional tone. "They don't simply run straight lines from point A to point B. They employ a variety of techniques to muddy their

to the map, using a finger to mimic what he's talking about. "False starts, backtracking, twisting patterns—there are a variety of

"It's not just about physical movement either. They use natural elements to their advantage—streams, rocky outcroppings, dense foliage. Anything that can disrupt or mask their scent. In pack lands, our scent is everywhere,

inch of miles upon miles to find the heart of the pack, even if you knew we were

multiple false trails before reconvening at a predetermined location. It's a constant dance of deception. Now, here, where we are, we have limited our radius to avoid exposure. Once you catch our

that we are in this small of an area in order to find us. And this town isn't even on any map. It's just a private commune, on

explanations make a lot of sense. "And we're branching out. So, that makes us

case scenario, when someone catches their scent, they will have to throw them farther off the trail in different directions. At that point, we cannot have a relay in order to remain in touch with our wolves. They'll be on their own out there

the wilderness, weaving an invisible tapestry of misdirection. It's both impressive and slightly

that slow them down?" I

my point. "It does. But the trade-off in security is worth it. Better to arrive a bit later than to lead enemies

I ask, my mind already racing

answers this time, her expression thoughtful. "It varies. Some wolves have a natural aptitude for it, while others take longer to master the intricacies. But generally, we're looking at months, if not years,

that's not feasible after

discouraged," Vester says, clearly reading the doubt on my face. "You learn quicker than you think. And you bring other strengths to

his book form, I wish I could

that's what our bond

his head, not mine. He

can work on some of your magic training later. I'll show you how much help

is loud

doubt me, he warns her. I'm the

not as powerful as