Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 405 Lucas: News From Aspen

LUCAS

"Too many strange things are happening," my beta mutters, watching our latest group of scouts head off after their report.

"It's unnerving." Vester raps his knuckles against the map in front of us. "Five missing scouts. Ryder's missing in action. There's been no news from Jericho's side in a week. The Aspen scout massacre. Ivy…"

"Something's happening. We need to figure it out."

My fingers rake through my hair as exhaustion settles deep in my bones. The map is little more than a blur in front of my unfocused eyes; I need more sleep. But I don't have time for that.

"We need more teams in these sectors." Vester points to the eastern quadrant. "Three of them went missing somewhere here."

"Three teams of four." Kellan traces a path with his finger. "If we space them out—"

A sharp electronic trill cuts through the air. We all jump, the foreign sound of a ringtone jarring after months of silence. Kellan pulls his phone from his pocket.

"It's Rowan." He taps the speaker button. "Beta Goldstein."

"Beta Ashbourne." Rowan's calm voice fills the tent. "I received your message about Ivy."

"Alpha Shadowpine is not available?"

"Alpha Shadowpine is investigating unusual rogue activity in our territory. He should return tonight to speak with you directly."

The muscles in my jaw tighten. More rogues. More problems. It isn't just us. We're all in danger, but working blind. "Beta Goldstein, Ivy's condition remains uncertain. Our Luna and best healers are working to determine the cause."

"I see. That's unfortunate." The calm in the beta's voice is betrayed by the slight crack in it.

It's tempting to keep more information to myself. After all, we have no proof of anything. Only wild theories. But Clayton—and his pack—are our allies. They deserve nothing less than transparency. "We suspect magical involvement."

such tragedies under our protection." That conversation belongs between alphas, not their seconds. The politics of

tone stays measured, diplomatic. "Please take care of her. The Aspen Pack places its trust in

Goldstein," Kellan says, as I motion for him to take over, "We still have no leads on your lost wolves, but we're

Thank you for your

several casualties from feral rogues in our territory. They're not acting normal. Much like

against the map, leaving indents in the paper. It sounds like this taint has spread farther than we

without pattern. No interest in territory or resources. It's pure aggression. We are doing

weight in Rowan's words. Aurum

Fae representatives. They're searching for someone."

growls in

with Alpha Shadowpine tomorrow. We're

to destroy something rises in my chest. The mere thought of anyone hunting Ava sets my teeth on edge.

a note of unease. "Though one detail stood out—their leader.

"Names?"

will attend the meeting, but..." Rowan trails

don't trust

off. I thought you should know, given

More unknowns. As if we don't have enough to deal with already. "Keep me updated on the

"Of course, Alpha Westwood."

tent in heavy silence. My wolf paces beneath my skin, agitated by this new

"Lucas," Kellan starts.

rage. "Double the patrols around Ava. No one approaches her

subordinates nod without a word. Even though she's probably drowning in guards already. We could send out several scouting parties

that thought,

me like a maze of failures. Every X marks another dead end. A missing patrol, corruption that hasn't been cleared, scenes of attacks,

weight. "You still want to lead the search party for

mysterious Fae seeking her. But they're in Aspen territory, not here. Clayton can handle them for now. And Ryder is one of mine. My responsibility. Even more than