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.

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

a time traversing the

even

the wolves draw near, I finally recognize Ethan's wolf form and

I

Just what I

compound. As an ally, she's great. But no matter what, I can't seem to get

a

she should be the Luna here.

though that only gives her even more

main debriefing tent, a far cry from the cozy cabin we once used. The refugees needed it more than we did, so

shift, quickly donning warm clothes while I busy myself with the wood stove. The tent's not exactly toasty, but at least it's a reprieve from the relentless cold outside. As I add another log, the fire crackles to life, casting flickering shadows

says, her voice syrupy sweet. I nod,

makes a beeline for Ethan, greeting him with a bear hug and a hearty slap on

playing on his lips. "There's too

his words. "You should

relaxes me more than sitting in one place, Luna. But I

I can respond, Ivy's voice cuts through the air. "Lucas!" She greets him with a warm smile that makes my stomach churn. I grit my teeth, forcing down the surge of irritation