Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 336 Ava: Under Attack

Vanessa bursts through the door, calm despite the energy buzzing around her. "You have two minutes to pack a bag. Evacuation is now."

I grab my messenger bag, with Grimoire inside. Lisa stands ready beside me, already with a bulging backpack slung over her shoulders.

"Kellan had a 'go bag' ready for me since I moved in with him," she explains sheepishly.

I nod, impressed by Kellan's foresight. My own preparations feel woefully inadequate in comparison. Hastily, I stuff a couple of extra outfits into my bag.

Turning to Vanessa, I gesture towards Aurum's massive form on the bed. "We need a way to carry him. He's not waking up."

Vanessa frowns as she assesses the situation. "We'll figure something out. Maybe a stretcher."

Movement to the east, Selene's voice interrupts, her tone distracted and tense. They're trying to find a way around the wards.

"We don't have enough vehicles for everyone. Most of the pack will have to go on foot. We'll need to split the evacuation—humans in the cars, shifters on foot."

My heart sinks at her words. That means I'll be separated from the pack. "Is that safe? Splitting up, I mean?"

Vanessa's eyes meet mine, a mix of determination and worry in her gaze. "It's not ideal, but it's our best option. The shifters can move faster through the forest, and we need to get the humans to safety as quickly as possible."

I nod, understanding the logic even as fear gnaws at my insides. My gaze drifts back to Aurum, his golden fur rising and falling with each breath. How are we going to move him?

"What about Aurum?" I ask, unable to keep the concern from my voice.

"We'll use one of the trucks. Don't worry."

Vanessa instructs the guards outside the door to carry Aurum on a stretcher to the truck. To their credit, they ask no questions, obeying in efficient silence. Only minutes later, we're in the heart of the pack with the others. Humans are divided into cars, as many as they can fit. Their fear is so strong, even I can smell it in the air.

"Ava." A familiar voice cuts through the chaos, and I turn to see Marcus approaching. Relief washes over me at the sight of his weathered face.

"Marcus!"

His eyes never stop scanning the area. "I'll be sticking with you and Lisa. We need to keep the human evacuees safe."

and dependable, makes the impossible task ahead feel

shifting into

now," Vanessa says, following

wounded?" I ask, dreading the

smiles, her worried eyes lightening at the question. "We have no wounded. Everyone's

for small

three groups of wolves dash out into the night. Their coordinated movements

scouting party," Vanessa

voice echoes in my mind, sending a jolt

far out are they?" I ask, trying to keep

half a mile from

to hear the sounds of battle, but there's nothing. Is a half-mile really that far away? "I

and Sister Miriam's voice drifts over my shoulder. "They're probably

face her, taking in her enigmatic expression. "What about you?

reaches out, patting my head in a gesture that feels both comforting and patronizing. "I need to make

my hair behind my shoulders, and her eyes meet mine. "Don't worry, little Luna. You and your

from view, leaving

out, with a

a sigh.

Vanessa

a

our orderly

"Vamps. They're

toward us, speeding blotches of black hundreds of yards in the

barely audible over screams

bodies low and protective as they run in the opposite direction of the invaders. "Marcus! Make sure some are guarding the children as

"Yes, Luna!"

them time to get to

into battle, intercepting the vampires before they can reach the most vulnerable members of our pack. It's too dark to see from such a distance, but there's a

me. "We need to get

shove Lisa in first, as Marcus directs some wolves