Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 356 Ava: Blizzard

As it turns out, I don't get a chance to talk to Lucas that night.

Or the next one.

Or even the one after that.

A surprise storm blows in, stranding Lucas—and a small team of scouts—several hours from the compound, on what should have been a simple evening run. He's been taking groups of younger wolves out at night in what he calls field training.

Thankfully, we still have contact with each other, even if it is limited. It's never fun to be separated. With as much time as we've spent apart, we both do our best to make sure we spend a little time with each other daily.

Not having him around leaves me a little depressed, but knowing he's safe with the younger wolves makes our brief separation at least bearable.

No, not having Lucas around isn't the problem setting my teeth on edge.

She's at it again, Selene observes sourly, nosing through the kitchen.

I watch Elverly bustle around the kitchen, her tiny form a whirlwind of frustration. The gnome's grumbling grows louder as she yanks open cabinets and slams them shut.

"Look at this." She waves a wooden spoon toward the freezer, which is now almost empty, and the empty shelves of beans. "Three days of that beanpole demanding more protein. Does she think food just appears out of thin air?"

Elverly's rants are almost legendary among the kitchen staff. For a tiny gnome, she has a laundry list of complaints. Today, however, they're valid.

three-day blizzard,

running low, even though we just had a stocking run last week." She kicks a pot out of her way, the clang echoing through the kitchen. "If she comes in here

situation, it's comforting to know not everyone is falling for Ivy's

just have to let Elverly be angry. She's more bark than bite. "I promise I won't let Ivy mess with your system anymore. You're doing

prepare for lunch. After three days of stew,

"That sounds great."

gnome stops clanging and banging, I turn to Selene, who's crammed herself into a corner to avoid getting hit by any rogue pots. "Do you know where

the door. She's in the main lodge, cleaning up. Now that the refugees

her authority a few times, but not usually with any level of consequence. Now I'm going

more comfortable with giving orders and being an authority figure, but Ivy still leaves me

anything you need help with?" I ask, turning back to the

got it under control. Just keep that walking tree out of my kitchen. I can put together

description of Ivy. "Okay. I'll see what we can do with the hunters." Meat is scarce in the winter, but it isn't impossible to get what we need. "For now, let's try to stretch what we can. Our numbers are only increasing, and we all need

final nod from Elverly, I head out of the kitchen, Selene trotting by my

look. Groups of wolves shovel trails to tents and clear snow from entrances; it's a widespread effort, and heart-warming to see everyone pitching in to keep everything

the tents are almost buried on the outskirts of the compound, and there

coat, grateful for its warmth as I trudge along the shoveled path toward the main

mate. I have authority here, even if it sometimes feels like I'm still that scared girl running

under my breath,

that strange smile on her face. I