Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 342 Ava: Ivy's Motives

I push the doubts aside, focusing on the task at hand. "What brings you here, Ivy?" I ask, injecting a note of authority into my voice. "Lucas mentioned you asked for me specifically."

"Always straight to the point, aren't you, Ava?"

Was I? I don't really remember our past encounters that way. It always felt as though I were dancing around her, never sure what she really thought of me.

"I just wanted to make sure you were doing well. Clayton said you would likely be with the Westwood Pack. It's been a long time, and I had no way of contacting you since you left your phones behind."

The way she speaks makes it sound as though I'd left them behind on purpose.

I push aside the nagging unease about Ivy as Lucas guides me to the table. As we sit, she takes a seat across from us, her smile still warm and inviting. It's this warmth that throws me off balance, making me question my earlier impressions.

Why does Clayton's sister have to be so enigmatic? Her brother is straightforward, his intentions clear as day. But Ivy? She's a riddle wrapped in a mystery.

"How are things in Washington?" Lucas asks, calm beside me. He doesn't seem to sense anything strange with the woman.

Ivy's face transforms, the smile fading into a somber expression. "We barely made it through a vampire attack," she says, her voice low. "It was intense. We lost many lives."

As she describes the attack, I can't help but compare it to what we faced here. The force she talks about seems almost paltry compared to the onslaught that hit Westwood. It's hard to reconcile the two experiences.

"What about the rest of the area?" I ask, leaning forward slightly. "Have there been other attacks?"

Ivy nods, her green eyes meeting mine. "Some of the larger human cities have been hit, but it's been mostly quiet on the coast. The biggest issue is communication. We can't get cell towers or internet up and running."

"How are you getting information then?" Lucas asks.

"Radio, mostly," Ivy replies. "All the news networks are basically dead. It's like we've stepped back in time."

it been here? The closer we

his arm brushing against mine. "It's dangerous to leave Wolf's Landing," he says, his

tilts her head. "Hunters? We

been

head. "No. We did travel by car, but

"You were lucky to get here unscathed. The supernatural communities seem to be allied with the attackers. A

"That can't be right. Our supernatural communities were attacked, just

know that?" Lucas asks,

questions. "I've been to them," she says simply. "When Clayton first started reaching out to see how widespread the devastation was, I volunteered to make contact. We have no real affection for them, but this isn't the time to be picky

I ask,

her expression softening. "It hasn't been easy, but yes. We've managed to establish contact

all been attacked?" Lucas

degrees," Ivy confirms. "Some worse than

in his eyes. If what Ivy's saying is true, then the situation outside our little bubble is vastly different from what we've experienced. But why? What makes

these attacks," Lucas says, leaning forward. "How do

racing. The discrepancies between her account and our experiences are stark. While we've faced organized, strategic assaults, the

human cities were hit worse, without any way to fight back. Aspen, on the other hand, still holds control of their

testing defenses," Ivy says. "Probing for weaknesses,

what we've seen here," I interject, rubbing a finger against my temple as I try to think through the new information. "The attacks on

any

his head. "We've been focused on survival and rebuilding. The few

faces we've seen from outside in... well, it feels

thoughtful. "I can see why Clayton was so worried about all of you. Unfortunately, we don't bring supplies. It's

to stay, or are you moving on?" Lucas rests his arm behind my

of us are here to stay and support. We're your official liaison with the Aspen Pack. Seeing as your situation is more dire than ours,

"We'd appreciate that."