Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 379 Ava: His Unwelcome Return

Lisa sits beside me on the couch, cradling a steaming mug of hot chocolate.

"I should have killed her sooner. When I first met her, I knew something was weird about her."

"You couldn't have known she would do something like this." The couch cushion dips as Lucas settles beside me. "Taking on the responsibility of her choices will just lead you down a road of madness. Don't blame yourself for this. None of us expected them to show up again."

It's a terrible oversight on all our parts, but it's been months, and the world has changed. While we still knew danger was out there, none of us actually expected the Mad Prince to show up again. At least, not like this.

Furious with myself for being so complacent, I mutter, "I should have kept better tabs on Dakota Sanctuary. Crazy vampires don't stop being crazy because the world ends."

Lucas' words brook no argument. "We had to focus on surviving. We barely had enough wolves to defend ourselves, let alone spy on other territories."

"But—"

"No." His fingers brush my chin, turning my face toward his. "You did what you had to do. We all did. I kept security on the both of you in case anything happened, but I too bear this blame. Neither of you need to take this responsibility on. Do you understand?"

His eyes flick to Lisa, too. And Kellan, standing in the corner with deceptive calm, despite radiating frustration and fury. I may not be able to sense the pack bond, but I can definitely feel that.

Lucas shifts, his expression hardening as he thinks. "Did this Marisol say anything before..."

"Before I burned her alive?" Lisa's laugh holds no humor. "No. She just asked if I missed her."

coincidence she was there. The Mad Prince must have

grunt in unison, a sound of pure male aggression that would

know now that his thrall is dead?" Lucas'

of silver light announces Grimoire's arrival. He takes his child form, all gangly limbs and messy red hair. "That depends on their connection. If Marisol was sharing her senses with her maker, he would

"And if

the general direction where his

be suspicious of her death happening around here. If he didn't know we

comes out tight as he finally speaks. "He has no

else would take down a vampire thrall?" I arch an

silence that follows gives his answer; we all know humans likely wouldn't stand a chance against a

his solid presence. "He'll figure it out, if he hasn't already. Lisa said the man's obsessed. It makes sense he wouldn't have given up after her escape, even with the world

stroke my arm absently, his eyes

more information, it's impossible

my temples. "So it could be that he's the giant bogeyman we have to deal with, or he can have a friend making everything twice

here." Kellan pushes off the wall, his presence commanding attention. "If Marisol was sharing her final moments

where we are." Lisa's

attack. We have to assume the

gray eyes fix on Lisa. "You're not leaving my

her mouth to argue, but something in Kellan's expression stops her. She's probably thinking she can have regular guards instead of imposing on Kellan, but there's no way he'd let

words brush against my ear. "No more solo missions. I have to go