Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 430

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."

at her bottom lip, her eyes distant as she processes the news. "N-No, that's not

She's lying.

lying, I tell

Because they usually are.

point. Still, something about the raw fear in her scent gives me

saying. Aurum paces in my mind, his hackles

she should, though she continues to pluck at her bottom

his boots crunching in

I don't

soft, Aurum growls. A child

that,

clothes. Her aesthetic doesn't match her demeanor, looking like

wider, but all she does is grab for my hands, holding on with surprising strength. "Take me there.

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

cry from the terrified child she

small. The contrast is striking. At first, she was like a terrified rabbit. Now steel glints

more to this little

let go

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

dangerous, Aurum snarls.

No.

Look at how

about her sudden shift in demeanor, but it doesn't add up. The fear in

I keep my voice firm but calm. "You're not going anywhere alone.

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

We

demands.

do you advocate murdering

started showing up conveniently when

to help them. See if—if…" Her eyes drop from mine

camp. My gut insists on it. But is it a nefarious interest? "We're

head snaps up.

study her face as hope

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

"We don't know yet."

eyes. Real ones this time, not the

could be an act, Aurum

what she appears—someone

young ones forced to grow up

leading north," I tell

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

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