Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 354 Ava: Ryder Brings Good News

A horde of wolves stream into our camp. Several shift in the middle of the snow, eager to embrace their friends or family for the first time in months. It feels as though the entire compound is out to watch the largest crowd brought in by our scouting team.

There's an overall atmosphere of joy and celebration, but underneath it all, my mind worries over simple problems. Food. Firewood. More shelter. We only have so many tents, so many beds, so many blankets… And winter isn't over yet.

"Kellan," I call out, spotting his broad shoulders in the crowd. "Get these people settled in the new tents. Make sure they're comfortable. We may need to switch people around to make sure no family units are broken up."

He nods, already moving to direct the flow of refugees. A pang of worry hits me as I consider our dwindling firewood supply. We'll need to send people out for more.

My eyes scan the crowd. Some of them are from other packs; they hang back, tails tucked, in small groups of their own. One group has their tails up, panting in the snow as they glance around. Probably Aspen wolves.

Right on cue, Ivy approaches them.

Distracting me from the influx of new people is Delta Ryder Thorn, looking like he's been through hell and back. He's lost weight, and his fur seems matted. But there's something about him that has Selene sitting up to take notice.

"What's going on?" I ask Lucas, who unwraps his arm from around my shoulder.

"I don't know. He wanted to tell us in person. Come, let's head to the debriefing tent."

Ryder follows us without comment, though he's practically bouncing on his paws. He shifts almost as soon as the tent flap closes behind him, grabbing some clothes at random off the shelves we have for that purpose.

"I bring good news," he announces, his voice hoarse but triumphant.

Lucas raises an eyebrow, a silent command to continue.

"We found Jericho."

My hand shoots out, grabbing Ryder's freshly donned shirt before I can stop myself. "Where is he?" I demand. He wasn't in the group.

A firm hand pulls me back, and I let go of his black shirt as my back bumps into Lucas' chest. To his credit, the delta doesn't flinch at my reaction, only grinning wider. "He's with a group of supernaturals, about a hundred miles northwest. They're all in hiding."

"How did you find him?" Lucas asks, cool as a freaking cucumber. Like it's any report on any given day.

"He found us through the pack link. When we got close enough, he reached out."

I ask, "Why didn't he come

light of excitement fades, and Ryder's lips thin. No longer keeping eye contact, he gazes off to the side, clasping his hands behind his back

Many of the wolves we brought today were saved by his efforts. But he lost both

words. Tears fill my eyes as an image of the grizzled old shifter jumps to my mind's eye.

I whisper, trying to give myself something positive

of my shoulders bow under the weight of my mate's hands, and he squeezes gently.

back, and I nod

Lucas addresses

quietly. She never followed us into the tent; she's overseeing the new arrivals and

at what

how he's handling it. No one ever deserves a disability. Ever. But it's turning my world upside down to imagine someone so strong and vibrant

and I realize I've missed part of the conversation. "I want him

"Understood, Alpha."

* * *

the new problems that have now arisen. The old wolf managed

Including vampires.

them as the pack discusses whether to bring them here, to the safety of Wolf's Landing, or keep

Selene asks, having followed me—and my ever-present

sit on. It's also easy to eavesdrop in the area, so I take the time to converse through our bond

understand wanting to bring them here.

But, Selene prompts.

expanse of brilliant blue. I also understand why the

wolves would treat the

Not many of them really know him. I think they could just as easily believe he is a murderer as they can believe he is a

a little solace, a break from my thoughts with the repetitive motion of my fingers sliding

dwindling faster than we can replenish them. Yet, turning away those in need goes against everything we

would you

is not a decision that needs to

of the log. The breeze picks up, carrying with it the scents of pine and snow. Winter's grip is tightening, and I can't help but worry about how we'll manage when the real

it's as if we are barely scraping by. There's

again, Selene chides