Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 331 Ava: Wes

The new wolf turns, and I feel a flicker of recognition. I know him from somewhere, but his name escapes me. He jogs over, a friendly smile on his face. Young. Really young. A little scrawny compared to the others, but broad-shouldered and tan.

Tousled blond hair.

"Hi Luna, I'm Wes. Follow me."

As we start walking, I try to place where I've seen him before. "How are you doing, Wes?"

He shrugs, his smile fading slightly. "It's been rough for everyone, but we're managing."

I study his face, trying to gauge his age. He's barely more than a kid, judging by the patchy scruff across his face. "If you don't mind me asking, how old are you?"

Wes glances at me and laughs. "I'm sixteen."

My eyes widen in shock. "Sixteen," I repeat, my voice soft. Yet he's wearing tactical clothes similar to those my guards wear.

He nods, then adds, "We used to train together under Amara."

That's why I recognize him. Memories of those group training sessions flash through my mind, and I feel a pang of guilt for not remembering him sooner.

"You're a lot different from what the rumors said," Wes comments, pulling me from my thoughts.

I raise an eyebrow, curiosity piqued. I knew there were rumors, but no one's been willing to repeat them in my presence. "Oh? What kind of rumors?"

Wes looks sheepish for a moment. "Well, I used to believe you were just a filthy Blackwood, manipulating the Alpha. That you didn't have a wolf and were utterly worthless." He rushes to add, "But that changed when I watched you training. You worked harder than anyone."

Perhaps not all those eyes I felt on me during training were filled with suspicion or derision. Maybe some, like Wes, were watching with growing respect.

me as I once again realize how prickly and defensive I've been. How many potential allies did I

today?" Wes asks, breaking the

I reply, grateful

nods, a hint of excitement in his voice. "It's pretty cool that our Luna has

sure how to respond to that. But Wes's enthusiasm is infectious, and I

to keep my tone light. "But tell me more about you, Wes. How are you handling all of

I'm worrying about training and school, and the next we're running for our lives. But..." He

in companionable silence for a few moments before Wes speaks up again. "We're almost there. The storage area is just around

exactly? I hope Kellan hasn't been feeding me in relative luxury compared to the

showing me the way, Wes. And thank you for

* * *

no one's starved to

We have some beans and rice, cans of tuna, and several jars

shelf filled with Pop-Tarts, with a simple paper taped to it saying "Only For

"Is this all?"

It's meager, but we do have people going out to hunt. There's a small vegetable garden, and we're making a greenhouse to extend our yield as long as possible." Wes points at a cupboard on a

"I see."

my stomach twisting. It's sobering to be here, to

most worried about

there's a lot of concern because Alpha hasn't been around much lately. But honestly, most of the stress is about food and making sure the kids will be okay through the

"How are people coping?"

Wes says with a shrug. "It's all we can do,

knot forms in my throat as I consider my

freezes, and I can see the internal struggle playing out in his eyes. Slowly, he lowers his head, avoiding my gaze.

heart sinks, but I press on.