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."

the line before Clayton's familiar tone replaces Rowan's. "Luna Grey." His formal greeting will forever sound strange

fingers press against my stomach, willing the nausea away.

to

small talk. The direct question pierces through my carefully constructed

creature breached our hospital defenses yesterday. Ivy disappeared during the attack." My voice stays steady, detached. Clinical. Like I'm reading a report instead of delivering devastating news. "The creature

sharp inhale cuts through

"Twenty-seven dead, more injured."

kitchen window reflects my pale face, dark circles prominent under my eyes. I

calm, as if he's trying to control his emotions. The siblings are close; this news has to be devastating for him.

throat, wishing it was easier to give this news.

"More?"

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

"A what?"

alive, exactly, but it

is Ivy?" Clayton's voice turns sharp; it's clear he's now

That the dream-eater

that follows

certain?" His words sound detached, but they're barely a whisper across

certain as we can be without her

background. "Keep the

"Of course, but Clayton—"

line goes dead before he responds, and I lean back

* * *

some more sleep, Selene says when I stumble for the

working too hard. I don't think you should be

people where things go." My voice comes out raspy, though. The dry winter air is hell on my throat with all this talking. I watch Heize

Lisa's grip on my arm tightens. "Let me help with

hospital's skeleton looms before us, half-restored thanks to the Fae's tireless work. The scent

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