Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 345 Ava: Winter in Wolf's Landing

Blowing on my hands in a futile effort to bring warmth back to my numb fingers, I squint across the vast expanse of snow at a group of wolves coming in. "Is that Vester's group?"

No. Ethan's. Selene rests her furry head against my leg, panting after her playful romps through a few snow drifts. She's very much in her element in this weather, and I've had more than one mother come to me complaining that their pups have all been following Selene around the compound to play in the snow all day.

It wouldn't be a problem, they stress—repeatedly—if they were old enough to shift. But they're not, and it's cold, and they're obsessed with the only dog they've ever seen.

Wolves aren't nearly as cool as a husky, apparently.

I can see two kids right now, peeking around a truck like we can't see them. They're whispering to each other and pointing in Selene's direction.

Did I mention that their favorite game is pelt-the-husky-with-snowballs? Yeah. That's a thing now.

When Selene catches them out of the air, they always fall over laughing.

I should go tell them to go home, but I've been there and done that. Repeatedly.

They keep coming back within minutes, giggling from whatever abysmal hiding spot they've found this time. Selene's the most popular person in camp among their age group.

Even their mothers have given up, especially when other young wolves would shift and play in the snow, too. Unlike in our traditional pack lands, we don't have miles of land to roam and keep our inner wolves happy. We're holed up in this relatively tiny area, and our numbers keep growing.

More and more refugees have arrived. Some rogue. Some from allied packs. And even

groups now who spend weeks at a time traversing the country, bringing back news and

even in

near, I finally recognize Ethan's wolf form and raise my hand in

when I

what I need

popular among the wolves. As a strong she-wolf, she's done a lot for the compound. As an ally, she's great. But no matter what, I can't seem to get

a little

that she should be the Luna here. Lucas knows how I feel

she's out scouting with the men, even though that only gives her even more bonus points

way to the main debriefing tent, a far cry from the cozy cabin we once used. The refugees needed it more than we did, so here we are, huddled in canvas walls that

myself with the wood stove. The tent's not exactly toasty, but at least it's a reprieve from the relentless

says, her voice syrupy sweet. I nod, not trusting myself to speak without a

space instantly. He makes a beeline for Ethan, greeting him with a bear hug and a hearty slap on the back. "Great job out there," Lucas

his lips.

can't help but frown at his words. "You should take a break, Ethan. Relax once in

me, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "Traveling relaxes me more than

him with a warm smile that makes my stomach churn. I grit my teeth, forcing down the