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.

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

it wasn't for that bit of quick thinking the first time my feet sunk into a

far are we now? It feels like I've been running for

I thought. Too close. My heart thuds harshly

but not with this level of panic in my

wolves. And I was free

I'm running and

body—my magic—knows

under duress. Somehow, I'm going to have to fix that. Later. If

suggests. Shadows can't exist in pure light,

makes a weird sound in the back of my head. The sun is

Oh. Never mind, then.

they're

says. He sounds tense, his mental voice clipped

the others are here,

surprise me. None of them would have just stood around while

fucking pissed. You know, if

if.

more effect if

lived for hundreds of years, right? Selene snaps. Why can't you figure out

doesn't mean I have every answer at hand. I have ideas, but they all require time we don't have. We need to seal

Damn.

still can't reach Lucas? I ask Selene, almost

the same effectiveness as Clayton, Ivy's alpha. But he's still an alpha and could at least try to

No. But…

But?

for

enough. But I'm too far away. You'd have to hold on until

needed to do was have Selene overpower Ivy's stupid wolf,

sure your friend is in a state where

of a bitch. So

seconds before she catches up to you,

Fuck.

I veer left, my magic the only thing keeping me from face-planting into the nearest

quick glance behind me leaves me with regret. It's