Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 349 Ava: Daily Life

Once all the refugees are settled in, I spend time checking on the laundry. In the winter, it's an effort to get done, but we now have several hand-pump wells located in strategic areas around the compound, making it a little easier.

The biting cold nips at my cheeks as I make my way to the laundry area.

"Good morning, Luna Ava," a chorus of voices greets me as I enter.

I smile, nodding to each of them. "Good morning, everyone. How are we doing today?"

My eyes land on Tess, her gray hair pulled back in a tight bun. Her stern expression softens slightly as she meets my gaze. "Luna, we're managing. These new refugees have doubled our workload."

"I'm here to help," I say, rolling up my sleeves. "What needs doing?"

Tess points to a pile of sopping wet clothes. "Those need wringing out and hanging. Mind the cold—it'll freeze your fingers if you're not careful."

I nod, grabbing a bucket of wet clothes and get to work, in tandem with another she-wolf. She's newer, a refugee from the Twilight Ridge Pack.

"How are you settling in, Mara?" I ask her.

She gives me a shy smile. "It's different, Luna. But good. Everyone's been so kind."

"I'm glad to hear it." Once the clothes are wrung, we head outside to hang them, where they'll freeze on the line and slowly evaporate until they're dry. "If you need anything, don't hesitate to ask."

We work in companionable silence for a while, the only sounds the snap of fabric in the wind and the occasional grunt of effort. My fingers are numb, but I keep going. These clothes need to dry, and every pair of hands helps.

"Luna," Tess calls, "could you help gather the frozen clothes? They're nearly dry."

I nod, moving to the lines where stiff, icy garments hang like bizarre winter decorations. It's a strange sensation, peeling them off the line. They crackle and crunch.

"Where do these go?" I ask, arms full of frozen clothes.

wall. "Sort them by size

carefully placing each item in its proper place. As I sort, I chat with the other she-wolves, learning about

one doing, Sarah?" I ask, folding a

"Growing like a weed, Luna. He's already trying to shift, but we tell him he's still got a few years left

flows freely. The she-wolves speak of their mates, their children, the latest pack gossip. I listen, soaking

* * *

muscles and head out of the building. While laundry might seem like a simple task, it's rougher

to block out the biting air, I find myself longing to check on Lucas now that

Lucas?" I ask,

reconnaissance, Ava.

settling in my chest. "Of course he

sympathetic. Would you like to check the perimeter?

guess. Any news while I was

group returned a while ago. No refugees with them

small smile tugs at my lips. "That's good to hear. Vanessa must

I grab Marcus and let him choose

I'm surprised to see Vanessa approaching, bundled up against

you were heading out. Mind if I join you? There are some herbs to the northeast I'd like

blink, caught off guard. "Herbs?

useful for certain remedies.

Selene's warm presence at my side, I can't help but feel a sense of peace despite the biting cold. The crunch of snow beneath our feet creates a rhythmic melody, broken only by the occasional whisper of wind through

out? Grimoire's sleepy mental voice suddenly perks up, catching me off

ask, curiosity coloring my tone. It's not often

carrying a hint of something I can't

how far out they've been placed now. It's a testament to my growing strength, I suppose, but it still feels surreal. It takes me a few days to

breaks through my musings. Ava, do you remember

my brow, caught off guard by the question. "You haven't really taught me anything about it. Just that wizards