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."

through the line before Clayton's familiar tone replaces Rowan's. "Luna Grey." His formal greeting

stomach, willing the nausea

to my

talk. The direct question pierces through my

was an attack. A 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 was unlike anything we've

sharp inhale cuts through the line.

"Twenty-seven dead, more injured."

dark circles prominent under my eyes. I look haggard

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

Shadowpine." I clear my throat, wishing it was easier to give

"More?"

not Ivy, but it is likely that it wore her form

"A what?"

alive, exactly,

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

That the

that

detached, but they're barely a whisper across the phone

can be without her body. I'm sorry,

in the background. "Keep the creature contained until I

"Of course, but Clayton—"

and I lean back in my

* * *

some more sleep, Selene says when I stumble for the

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

voice comes out raspy, though. The dry winter air is hell on my throat with

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

to the Fae's tireless work. The scent of fresh wood mingles with

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