Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 430: Lucas: Pip (III)

LUCAS

The fabric of my shirt slides over my skin as I dress, keeping an eye on our unexpected guest. Pip huddles against a tree, her small frame almost disappearing into the shadows. Her purple hair stands out against the white snow, making her look even more like a lost child than she already does.

"You mentioned clearance levels." Vester's tone stays gentle, but I catch the sharp edge underneath. "How many are there?"

Pip pulls her knees closer to her chest. "I can't tell you that."

"We're on the same side here." Vester crouches in front of her, maintaining a respectful distance. "Fighting against the New Order."

"Maybe." Her chains jingle as she shifts. "But that doesn't mean I can share everything."

My boots crunch in the snow as I approach them. "Loyalty is admirable, but it can get you killed if misplaced."

"Better dead than a traitor." Her voice carries conviction way beyond her years, even as it shakes. She seems to have realized we won't kill her, but she isn't certain of it, as her eyes dart between us and into the shadows, where my wolves have disappeared.

Vester glances at me, his expression grim. "At least tell us who you answer to."

Pip's face disappears behind her knees. "I don't know."

"You're lying."

Her head snaps up, eyes flashing. "I'm not. We don't all know everything about everyone. It's safer that way."

"Safer for whom?"

"For everyone." She tugs at one of her chains, wrapping it around her finger. "If someone gets caught, they can't reveal what they don't know."

Smart. Dangerous, but smart. The resistance has clearly learned from past mistakes. I button up my shirt, considering our options. "The beacon you mentioned—"

"I didn't mention it. You did."

Her focus on semantics causes Aurum to grumble in my head. He's still not convinced she's an ally, insisting on coming out to frighten her.

It works for pups, he says, snapping at mental air.

She isn't pack. We need her to trust us.

Deciding to give a little honesty, I kneel in front of her as Vester walks away to get dressed as well. We'll both remain in human form to keep watch over her; the others have melted into the shadows, watching but silent, in hopes she'll be less afraid.

I meet her eyes. "The Rejects has been attacked. There's no one there anymore."

The color drains from her face. "What?"

There's no way I can give a child like her details. She's young enough without those nightmares. "Everyone's gone."

tug at her bottom lip, her eyes distant as she processes the news.

She's lying.

think everyone's lying, I tell

Because they usually are.

the raw

Aurum paces in my mind, his hackles

doesn't look as devastated as she should, though she

steps closer, his boots crunching in

But I don't

soft, Aurum growls. A

know that, too,

aesthetic doesn't match her demeanor, looking like

plant my feet a little wider, but all she does is

voice carries steel, but she doesn't flinch, her eyes wide as she stares into mine. Even the growls of my subordinates from the shadows doesn't

and determined, a far cry from the terrified child she was just moments ago. "I have to see

with surprising strength for someone so small. The contrast is striking. At first, she was like a terrified rabbit. Now steel

this little Fae than meets

to let go of

hair flying with the movement. "Not until you take me there." Her words still shake, though, her bravado a

Aurum snarls. End

No.

foolish. Look at how

The fear in her scent remains genuine, mixed

but calm. "You're not going anywhere alone. You're in our custody

death grip, but she doesn't release me. "What do you mean, custody?" Her eyes dart

need. We can't let you

Aurum demands. She's playing

you advocate murdering

they started showing up conveniently

See if—if…" Her eyes drop from mine as her words trail

interested in at least one specific person from Jericho's camp. My gut insists on it. But

snaps

been tracking survivors." I study her face as hope blooms

spine melts. Her shoulders slump as she finally releases my hands.

"We don't know yet."

well in her eyes. Real ones this time, not the frightened kind from

could be an act, Aurum

could be exactly what she appears—someone caught between childhood

huffs but doesn't argue. We've seen enough young ones forced to

tell her. "But the trail's

eyes with her sleeve. "That makes sense. There are safe houses—" She clamps