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 some who

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

Landing has grown, even in this

near, I finally recognize Ethan's wolf form and

falters when I spot

Just 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 along with her. Around everyone

are a little

always sees me as lacking, and that she should be the Luna here. Lucas knows how I feel about her, but

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

cabin we once used. The refugees needed it more than we did, so here we are, huddled in canvas walls

least it's a reprieve from the relentless cold outside. As I add another log, the fire crackles to life, casting flickering shadows

I nod, not trusting myself to speak without a hint of

and Lucas strides in, his presence filling the 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 says, his voice warm with pride.

wry smile playing on his lips. "There's

at his words. "You should take a

eyes twinkling with amusement. "Traveling relaxes me more than sitting in one place, Luna. But I appreciate

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