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.

them by size on those shelves.

item in its proper place. As I sort, I chat with the other she-wolves, learning about their days,

one doing, Sarah?" I ask, folding

him he's still got a few years left

we work, the conversation flows freely. The she-wolves speak of their mates, their children,

* * *

hung, I stretch my aching muscles and head out of the building. While laundry might seem like a simple task, it's rougher work than

out the biting air, I find

Lucas?" I ask, my

out on reconnaissance, Ava. Left a

in my chest. "Of course he

nature of your positions, Selene replies, her tone sympathetic. Would

Any

ago. No refugees

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

a few of my guards, selecting five wolves I trust. Well—really, I grab Marcus and let him choose the other four. But

we prepare to head out, I'm surprised to see Vanessa approaching, bundled

I join you? There are some herbs to

caught off guard.

They're quite useful for certain remedies. Humans

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

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

been up to?" I ask, curiosity coloring my tone.

shuffling through memories, he replies, his voice carrying a hint of something I can't quite place. Nostalgia,

companionable silence, the wards our destination. I can't help but marvel at how far out they've been placed now. It's a testament

Ava, do

"You haven't really taught me anything about it. Just that wizards put their excess magic