Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 412: Ava: No Plan At All

Running away from a mysterious wolf made of shadows and dark magic is probably not the most brilliant plan I've ever come up with.

Especially when my own wolf can't keep up. And I have no idea how far I should run. Too far and I risk more participants in this deadly chase. Not far enough, and my desperate ploy might be for naught if it turns back around after eating me.

Not a pleasant thought, but the reality is that I have no fucking clue how to fight this thing.

Have we confirmed it's Ivy's wolf? I blast the thought at Selene; talking is impossible right now. Running is the priority.

I swear I can feel the creature's breath on the back of my neck, but it's at least a hundred yards behind me. My magic can sense it; it's like eyes in the back of my head. Almost. Kind of.

Likely. We can't find Ivy.

Okay, it was a long shot to hope that this wasn't Ivy's wolf, but my heart still sinks—through all the pounding—to hear the confirmation.

Her wolf seems to be corrupted in some way, but Ivy isn't. I can't just blast her to smithereens (assuming I figure out how). I might not like her, but I know she'd never approve of hurting any of us.

Her wolf might be the reason her friends are dead.

Grimoire's observation sounds almost absent-minded. He's a little preoccupied with being the brains of this operation; someone has to be, and I'm too busy trying to stay alive.

That's a terrifying prospect. One my mind automatically shies away from. I don't have the luxury of dwelling on such a horrifying possibility. If Ivy's wolf murdered her entire entourage…

My foot catches on something—a root, a rock, who knows—and the world tilts. The ground rushes up to meet my face, but training kicks in. I tuck my shoulder, roll, and spring back to my feet in one fluid motion.

"Fuck." My lungs burn. Magic might enhance my body, but it isn't perfect, and I'm not calm. My fear and panic leave my control lacking.

Focus, damn it.

Dwelling on Ivy won't help me survive this. I need a plan. A real one. Not this half-assed 'run until something better occurs to me' strategy.

Any ideas yet? I direct the thought at both Grimoire and Selene.

Physical attacks don't work. The shadow-wolf is exactly that—shadow and darkness given form. Teeth, claws, it doesn't matter. There's no substance.

Unless she wants to attack. Then my pack's blood spills.

Not yet, Grimoire admits. I'm running through different wards we can try to contain her, but I don't think we have the time to make anything usable.

Fuck. Not the answer I wanted to hear.

passed any usable trail, but my feet fly over the crusted-over snow instead of sinking in thanks to spreading my magic around

wasn't for that bit of quick thinking the first time my feet sunk into a pile of snow, Ivy's wolf would have caught

like I've been running for hours, but it's probably

I thought. Too close. My heart

but not with this level of

was there. And his wolves. And I was free and

I'm running

body—my magic—knows

Somehow, I'm going to have

can't exist in pure

sound in the back

Oh. Never mind, then.

they're

mental voice clipped and hard. And Selene is a five-minute run

and the others are here, too, she

have just stood around while I ran away with danger

to be so fucking pissed. You know, if

saying if. We

more effect if

snaps.

require time we don't have. We need to seal the wolf and force Ivy's consciousness to take over, but Ava can't create a sealing ward in less than

Damn.

ask Selene, almost tripping over something again. My ankle

have the same effectiveness as Clayton, Ivy's alpha. But he's still an alpha and could at least try to force a shift on Ivy. Not sure if it would work,

No. But…

But?

silent for a

can try. I'm strong enough. But I'm too far away.

have Selene overpower Ivy's stupid wolf, all

not the same as a sealed soul, Grimoire cautions. I'm not sure your friend is

a bitch. So

seconds before she catches up

Fuck.

magic the only thing keeping me from face-planting into the nearest tree.

behind me leaves