Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 440

Chapter 440: Ava: Giving Bad News

Magister Orion is long gone. Tea stands cold in my cup and my reflection stares back at me from the kitchen window, hollow-eyed and pale.

My phone sits, dark and accusatory on the table in front of me. Twenty-seven dead. Twenty-eight, if I count Ivy.

You're stalling, Selene says.

"I know." This phone call has been put off too long. A single day has felt like a week, but it doesn't excuse how I didn't call my allied alpha to inform him of his sister's disappearance.

And how am I supposed to explain why we believe she's dead?

My fingers shake as I reach for the phone. The screen lights up, too bright in the dim kitchen. Clayton's number is far down the list of recent contacts, untouched since before everything went wrong.

When things were peaceful, and I still thought my world was chaos.

The phone feels heavy in my hand as I press the call button. Each ring echoes like a death knell.

"Rowan speaking."

The greeting throws me off balance. I'd prepared myself for Clayton's voice. Instead, Rowan's steady tone fills my ear.

"Beta Goldstein." My voice is less confident than I want it to be. "This is Luna Ava Grey of Westwood. I need to speak with Alpha Shadowpine."

A pause stretches between us, loaded with unspoken questions.

"Luna Grey." Rowan's voice softens immediately. "I'm afraid Clayton is indisposed at the moment. Is there something I can help you with?"

My chest tightens. "No, I... I need to speak with him directly. It's about Ivy."

Another pause, longer this time. "I see."

replaces Rowan's. "Luna Grey." His formal

fingers press against my stomach,

to my

small talk. The direct question

disappeared during the attack." My voice stays steady, detached. Clinical. Like I'm reading a report instead of delivering devastating news. "The creature was unlike anything we've encountered. It moved like a shadow, but took

cuts through the line. "How many

"Twenty-seven dead, more injured."

reflects my pale face, dark circles prominent under my eyes. I look haggard and worn

if he's trying to control his emotions. The siblings are close;

it

"More?"

likely that it wore her form for some time. The creature was identified as a

"A what?"

being. It's not alive, exactly,

Ivy?" Clayton's voice turns sharp; it's clear he's now understanding the full meaning of

consumed. That the dream-eater took

silence that follows

certain?" His words sound detached, but they're

be without her body. I'm

the background.

"Of course, but Clayton—"

I lean back in my chair with a

* * *

Selene says when I stumble

arm. "You've been working too hard. I don't

people where things go." My voice comes out raspy, though. The dry winter

Lisa's grip on my arm tightens. "Let

Fae's tireless work. The scent of fresh wood mingles with the subtle taste of magic in the

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