Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 374 Lisa: Something's Wrong

Seeing Ava seems to have breathed life into my limbs again.

Our return is easier. Perhaps it's because we've already trampled a path in the snow, or maybe moose stew is just that rejuvenating. Either way, I'm confident I won't be a complete mess by the time we return to Wolf's Landing.

And if a part of my brain is thinking, good, I won't bring shame to Kellan's status in the pack, well, I'm pretending not to notice too much.

It's hard to be a human among wolves. Humans aren't as strong, aren't dialed into the pack bond, and just aren't as respected as other wolves. Even refugees outside the pack find a place in Wolf's Landing. Jobs to do. Friends. A circle of community that gives back.

Me? I have Ava. And Kellan. And the Grand Sage. Even Elverly's mostly lost to the daily cycle of feeding so many people.

It isn't that I'm unhappy—shockingly, I'm pretty okay, outside of wanting to find my parents—but that I feel lost.

No one really knows what to do with me. Which is fair, because I don't know what to do with myself. I'm starting to understand why Ava had such a hard time standing on her own two feet and growing a sense of self-worth; it's like floating in a sea on a piece of driftwood while everyone else plays happy dolphin family.

Does that make sense? Maybe it doesn't.

I've made a few friends, but it's all surface-level. It's not like before, which is probably because I'm now known as the beta's mate. They all treat me a little differently now, which is why it's so nice to have Mira with us today. A little bit of normal interaction in this crazy mess of a new life.

I'll get it figured out. I know I will.

with the frigid temperatures, we stroll arm-in-arm behind the other wolves, who help Kellan drag along

He's strong enough. But there always has to be an extra bunch of wolves around to keep me

this idea. I just feel bad for

to see the weird shit the Grand Sage makes me do, so at least it's entertaining.

through more trauma than I did. It was terrible, yes. But I only saw the crazy vampire once. Now that I'm free, it honestly

don't know. More traumatic? Maybe a couple missing limbs or something? I've read enough books and movies

mutter distracts me from my random introspection, her

us freeze mid-step. Even from behind, I notice their bodies

to a complete

be easy to access, but just knowing it's there makes me feel a little more secure

in snow, though, I don't know what

dark eyes scanning the trees. She doesn't know either. Of course. She's not part of whatever mind-talking they're doing. She's

a low growl rumbles from his chest.

heart pounds against my ribs as I recognize their practiced movements. This isn't just caution—this

Mira whispers, pulling me tight against

different now. What I'd thought was peaceful winter stillness now seems charged with tension, like the air before a storm.

I wait for

forms. Their clothes litter the ground around the sled as they take up positions in a