Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 373 Ava: Tracks

Once Lisa's finished eating and we feed the wolves who came with her—including Kellan, who seems determined to keep some level of distance from his mate, even as he sneaks glances at her when she's not looking—the entire tent goes down, including our stove.

It isn't long before I'm tucked back into my sled, despite protesting that the next area isn't far and I can walk there.

Lisa waves at me as she heads off with Mira, their forms growing smaller against the stark white landscape. The young she-wolf's animated gestures make Lisa laugh, and something in my chest loosens at the sound. It's good to see her making connections beyond just me, Kellan, and the gnomes.

"Time to move." Vanessa takes her place behind me; the guards are already in their wolf forms and harnessed.

It's still weird, even after having experienced it all day yesterday.

The sled glides smoothly over the packed snow, Marcus and Greg working in perfect sync at the lead, their fur gleaming under the weak winter sun.

You're brooding, Grimoire says, materializing beside me in his silver fox form.

"Just thinking about the late start."

You thought it was worth it.

"It was. I just wish there was more time in a day, that's all."

Have you noticed the change? He's adopted the tone of a professor to student again.

"Yes. It's denser than yesterday when I first sensed it, and it's moving, even though it's slow. Like a crawl."

The magical corruption pulses at the edge of my awareness, a nauseating weight that makes my skin crawl. It feels different. Concentrated. Wrong.

Keep your senses alert.

know. I have a

Oh?

it might be gathering all the local corruption. That's why we aren't seeing much. All the little bits

it in action. It's a workable theory, but the question

catching our quiet conversation. His massive gray form maintains our steady pace through

pulse of dark energy. It's definitely stronger than before, a heavy miasma that seems to coat the inside

guess we'll find out soon

* * *

us to make

something that really hits my nose so much as my metaphysical senses, but my stomach roils, acid burning up my throat. Next to me, Selene sneezes repeatedly, her silver form shaking with each violent

stay back." I wave the wolves away from the edge of the taint. "Let's

their leads. Her movements are quick, efficient, but her face betrays her unease. "Something's not right

Selene's voice echoes in my

"What tracks?"

follow him, careful to keep my distance from the corruption's edge. The tracks are clear—what look like distinctive wolf prints

"See how the snow hasn't had time to crystallize or drift? I'd

lack of scent makes my skin prickle. Even with the corruption's interference, we should pick up something.

need them to confirm

ten different sets of prints. And no one from

but I

realize where they lead. "They're heading toward

didn't pass any wolves

smell them," Selene adds

my companions spotted them despite our vigilant travel here. They're likely aggressive, and

Shit.