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.

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

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

nods, adding, "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, in a wide radius. It's impossible to track down the den

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

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 scent, we are easier to

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

branching

potential pursuers. In the worst case scenario, when someone catches their scent, they will have to throw them farther off the trail in

to picture it in my mind—wolves darting through the wilderness, weaving an

down?" I ask, genuinely curious.

does. But the trade-off in security is worth it. Better to

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

Vester says, clearly reading the doubt on my face. "You learn quicker than

is still frustrating. Glancing at Grimoire, who's once again in his book form, I wish

what our bond

is in his head, not mine. He just

have yet to put our bond to work. We can work on some of your magic training later. I'll show you how much help I

mental scoff is loud

doubt me, he warns her. I'm the most

can shred you with one bite. You're not as powerful as you