Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 427: Lucas: Follow the Trap

LUCAS

For Ryder's scent to be so crisp, he should be in range for a pack link.

And yet there's nothing when I try.

More evidence it's a trap.

We follow the original trail. There's always a chance I'm wrong, and it's really Ryder. If it is, though, he's in a better situation than Jericho to survive.

Choices. It always comes down to choosing. The hardest part of leadership.

My pack falls into line without question as we continue our pursuit of the attackers.

The original trail weaves between snow-covered pines. The tracks continue to lessen, until it seems as if only one of them remains, but each step is heavy in the snow. Jericho's drag marks persist, but at intervals, as if he's carried at some times and pulled along at others.

But then, after another mile of tracking, it all stops.

Vester circles the area where the trail ends, agitation swishing his tail. There's nothing. Not even a lingering scent.

The growl that vibrates my chest comes from Aurum; my brain's too busy processing what we're seeing. Check the perimeter. Twenty-yard radius.

My wolves spread out, methodically searching every inch. They examine trees, rocks, anything that could hide a clue. The sound of their movements only emphasizes the unnatural silence that's fallen in this part of the world.

But there's nothing.

We widen the perimeter, but stick together. Fifty yards.

Then seventy-five.

One hundred.

Still nothing.

First the empty camp, then the bodies, now this. Every lead dissolves like smoke the moment we get close, as if they're playing with us.

They must have teleported. But why wait until now? They should have done it from the start.

valid one as we trot back

Distance. Number of people they can transport. Sister Miriam was able to appear over large distances,

a specific point? one of

seemed to shrink, and how we assumed it was from them covering their tracks more wisely, I add, They started it a while ago. This was just the

transport Jericho until the end. Why? That seems strange, if he was one

Always more questions without answers; I'm convinced these damn bloodsuckers

privately, not broadcasting the option to the

follow Ryder's

pulses through

It's a trap.

Aurum's mental voice carries a hint of

us doing exactly that. They expected me to choose between Jericho and Ryder. At least, that's the

And if we're wrong?

with readiness, bloodthirsty

And I am, too.

question hangs in

to all of them, I announce, We backtrack.

perk

want us divided, so we stay together

backtrack the mile back. The crisp scent of Ryder remains

from the direction Jericho

again. Whatever awaits us, he's ready to face it.

Stay alert.

formation tightening. It's an easy trail to follow, and our pace is fast. The tracks in the snow fade suddenly

scent of Ryder saturates the air, so thick it coats my tongue. No wolf's scent should be

ears flatten against

deep snow as we crest another hill. The landscape stretches before

burns from its intensity. Aurum's hackles rise, his aggression bleeding into

signal the formation

defensive circle, scanning the terrain. The snow-covered hills offer too many places to hide. Each dip and rise could

a cluster of snow-laden bushes. The

spot like a beacon, drowning out any other scents that might warn

thoughts mirror my own. His scent shouldn't be

of wind brings not just Ryder's scent, but an