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."

here, solid and dependable, makes the impossible task ahead

behold—every pack member helps at least one other before shifting into wolf forms, securing packs to each other's backs. The chaos I expected is surprisingly absent, everything moving

all pros by now,"

about the wounded?" I ask, dreading the

"We have no wounded. Everyone's healed since the

God for

into the night. Their coordinated movements speak of countless drills and,

going to reinforce the scouting party," Vanessa explains,

is made, Selene's voice echoes in my mind, sending a jolt of fear through

far out are they?" I ask,

half a mile

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

presence materializes behind me, and Sister Miriam's voice drifts over my shoulder. "They're probably suppressing the sound of

her, taking in her enigmatic expression. "What about

a gesture that feels both comforting and patronizing. "I need to make sure all loose ends are cleaned up so no reports of this camp get back to their

meet mine. "Don't worry, little Luna. You and your people

view, leaving me

and out, with a

a sigh.

ally," Vanessa says,

know," I agree, just as a piercing scream tears through the

explodes into our orderly

"Vamps.

running toward us, speeding blotches of

voice barely audible over screams 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

can reach the most vulnerable members of our pack. It's too dark to see from such a distance, but there's a certain

at me. "We

shove Lisa in first, as Marcus directs