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."

Clayton's familiar tone replaces Rowan's.

press against my stomach, willing

to

The direct question

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 a wolf's

cuts through the line. "How many

"Twenty-seven dead, more injured."

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

control his emotions. The siblings are close; this news

I clear my throat, wishing it was easier

"More?"

free hand curls into a fist as I struggle to find the proper words. "It's not Ivy, but it is likely that it wore her form for some time. The creature was identified as a monstrosity of nature we

"A what?"

not alive, exactly, but it has its

it's clear he's now understanding the

consumed. That the dream-eater

that follows feels

sound detached, but they're barely

her body. I'm sorry,

rustle in the background. "Keep the creature contained until

"Of course, but Clayton—"

dead before he responds, and I lean

* * *

sleep, Selene says when I stumble for

you okay, Ava?" Lisa grabs my arm. "You've been working too hard. I don't

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

on my arm

thanks to the Fae's tireless work. The scent of fresh

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