Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 380 Lucas: Their Bond Wants More

LUCAS

Being blindsided by the enemy sends pure rage through my body, but I struggle to keep it contained, to hide the depth of my fury from my sweet little mate and her human friend.

They're busy blaming themselves, and I'm ready to burn the world down for bringing this onto their shoulders.

This Mad Prince has gone too far once again. I already have a large blood debt to pay; this has brought it back to urgent priority.

Aurum paces beneath my skin as I watch my mate push a bowl of stew into Lisa's trembling hands. The human's face remains pale, her eyes haunted. Even after proving her strength in battle, she looks fragile enough to shatter.

"You need to eat." Ava's voice carries that gentle tone she uses with injured wolves. "Please, Lise."

Lisa stares into the bowl as if it holds answers rather than meat and vegetables. "I'm not hungry."

"Just a few bites. The protein will help."

"Kellan." I keep my voice low as I motion him closer. "We need to implement those changes now."

He nods, following me to the corner of the room. "The rotating patrol schedule?"

"Yes. I want the best trackers we have checking the perimeter twice daily."

I tap my fingers against my thigh, considering our options. "Our supply runs will need double the guards. Make sure we have them staggered so no one knows where they're going. We've been too complacent, shopping too close."

"And the taint?"

That's the real problem. Without Ava's purification, the corruption will spread. But we can't risk her, either.

of taint, the area gets quarantined immediately.

parties won't like

lose more wolves to this

my attention. She's gotten Lisa to eat half the bowl, but the human looks ready to fall over. The shadows

tell Kellan.

about Mira's—"

burial rites won't be today," Ava says gently. "Get

shut behind Lisa and Kellan. My mate's shoulders slump, and I pull her closer, letting her lean into my strength. Her scent carries the sharp tang of exhaustion mixed with honey and vanilla. The combination twists my protective

time." My thumb traces circles on Ava's hip. "Kellan will watch

seeing her like this.

strong. Taking a life changes you, even when

have been there

her to face me, cupping her face between my palms. "Don't. You did everything possible. Stop acting like you can stop every bad

eyes shimmer with unshed tears. The weight of leadership sits heavy on her small frame—my fierce little mate who takes every loss personally.

a source of deep pride that my mate has shown herself so worthy of the title, but she has yet to learn how

chest. "He's going to keep coming after her. If he's been looking for her even with the world in such a state, nothing's going to

into my voice; our pack's history with this single vampire is enough to light the rage simmering in my blood. "He'll find we are not as

wolf wants blood—wants to hunt down every threat to our mate and pack. But

find

solo missions. Not until we deal with this threat. You can't take on responsibility for every single bit of corruption we find. We'll do what we can, but you have to put your

a danger

more careful. Coordinate everything. Either Kellan or I need to be with you at all times." Ideally, it would be me every time. But

warms my shirt. "You can't argue with me when I

kiss to her temple. The familiar spark of our connection tingles across

between us, a living thing demanding attention. My fingers tighten in Ava's hair as her breath warms my chest. The rage still burns hot in my blood, but my focus—our bond's focus—shifts. The need to hunt transforms into something else