Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 397 Ava: How Long...?

"They'll blame the late president," Kellan says simply. "He's an easy scapegoat. We haven't heard a full list of casualties, but I'm sure very few of his team have been left alive. It'll be easy, and people are desperate. There are already videos of trucks on the road and helicopters landing in Los Angeles and New York. Once they get the aid they desperately need…"

"They're not going to care about the truth as much," Lucas finishes grimly.

A chill creeps through my bones as I watch the screen, and I rub my arms, somehow far colder now than I have been at any point this winter. "Is there any chance the government is actually fighting back against whoever did all of this? That maybe this is legitimate?"

The silence in the tent tells me how naive it is to even hold such a hope. Lucas's arm tightens around my waist, and Kellan's face hardens into stone. Even Vanessa's usual gentle expression turns grim.

"Look at their positioning," Lucas says calmly. "The vampire stands closest to Collins. That's not an accident."

My stomach turns as I study the footage again. "Maybe. Or that just happens to be where he's standing."

I'm not trying to argue, but just holding out that slim thread of hope that our enemies haven't taken over the freaking White House. But it's a weak and flimsy wish. The kind toddlers might beg of while praying to a shooting star.

Nothing but a fairy tale dream.

"Has to be." Kellan reaches over Vanessa and taps the screen where another figure lurks in the shadows. "See that one? Bet it's a thrall."

"How can you tell?"

"I don't know. Just looks like one."

know anything about thralls, but I have to admit that it just feels like the guy might be one. His skin is

levels of government. This is what they've been working on. This

of it," Vanessa whispers. Her hand drifts to her belly, a protective gesture that makes my heart ache. "The timing is too perfect. Communications restored, FEMA mobilized, supernatural beings suddenly accepted into government

administration conveniently eliminated. Not only that, they have access to

know that wolf packs are highly regulated by the government, but I didn't even know safe havens existed before

"No."

goodness," the

harsher than I mean for it to, and I backpedal quickly. "I mean,

and tight, but he's clearly trying to keep me at ease. "That's what we're

to look at the ceiling, his eyes narrowed as he thinks. "Social media's back up. People will share anything strange they see. One wrong photo, one video of

cover for moving soldiers around. We need

made good progress with supplies," I point out. We have a stockpile. This

to hunker down and watch what unfolds." Lucas' voice carries that edge of authority

consider the situation

be hunting down any supernatural who refuses to fall in line

chill in my bones spreads deeper. "But Westwood is accepted by the government. We're part of the Northwestern Council. They can't just turn around and say we're enemies,

to stop Blackwood from

they attacked us

Or did we steal their