Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 427

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 to the end point of

be limitations to their skill. Energy cost. Distance. Number of people they can transport. Sister Miriam was able to appear over large distances, but from what we

to wait until they reached a specific point? one of my scouts asks.

their numbers seemed to shrink, and how we assumed it was from them covering their tracks more wisely, I

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

without answers; I'm convinced these damn bloodsuckers are

privately, not

follow Ryder's

certainty pulses

It's a trap.

course it's a trap. Aurum's mental voice carries a hint

us doing exactly that. They expected me to choose between Jericho and Ryder.

And if we're wrong?

just radiates with

And I am, too.

question hangs

of them, I announce, We backtrack. It's

perk forward. You're

together and spring their

Ryder remains where we found it, too fresh to be real, with his presence absent in my

from

awaits us,

Stay alert.

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

air, so thick it coats my tongue. No wolf's scent should be this strong, not even if they rolled in the

wrong. Aurum's ears flatten against our

another hill. The landscape stretches before us, white and pristine save for scattered patches of brush

wind shifts, bringing another wave of Ryder's scent. My nose burns from its

the formation to tighten. Check

The snow-covered hills offer too many places

motions toward a cluster of snow-laden bushes.

that spot

thoughts mirror my own. His scent shouldn't

just Ryder's scent, but

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