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.

trot back to the end point of the

they can transport. Sister Miriam was able to appear over large distances, but from what we have learned,

a specific point? one of my scouts asks. Or maybe until they recovered enough

be other limitations. Thinking of how their numbers 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

convinced these damn bloodsuckers are trying

Vester points out privately, not broadcasting the option to the

should follow Ryder's

certainty pulses

It's a trap.

carries a hint of amusement. But traps work both

on us doing exactly that. They expected

And if we're wrong?

with readiness,

And I am, too.

Vester's question hangs

all of them, I announce, We backtrack. It's time to follow Ryder's

perk forward.

so we stay together

mile back. The crisp scent of Ryder remains where we found it, too fresh to be real, with his presence absent in

leads west, away from the direction Jericho

Whatever awaits us, he's ready to face it. And so am

Stay alert.

an easy trail to follow, and our pace is fast. The tracks in the snow fade suddenly after half a mile, but the

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

Aurum's ears flatten against our skull. This

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

shifts, bringing another wave of Ryder's scent. My nose burns from its intensity. Aurum's hackles rise,

I signal the formation to tighten. Check

The snow-covered hills offer too many places to hide. Each dip and rise could conceal

One of my scouts motions toward a cluster of snow-laden bushes.

steps. The overwhelming smell of Ryder emanates from that spot

is wrong. Aurum's thoughts mirror my own.

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