Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 442: Ava: Strange New Addition

Wolf shifter men are, as a standard, larger and broader than human average. Six of them in a single minivan will certainly overpower it, but that's how they've managed to limp their way home—with a strange new addition.

"You said they were bringing a captive, not a child," I mutter to Vanessa, who seems unsurprised by the young girl's presence.

"Yes, well, age doesn't determine threat level." Vanessa's words fade into background noise as Lucas emerges.

My heart stutters. His golden eyes lock onto mine, and my world narrows to the space between us. One stride. Two. Three. His arms wrap around me, crushing me against the solid wall of his chest. The familiar scent of amber and campfire smoke floods my senses.

"You're safe." His voice rumbles through me. "When I couldn't reach you—"

"I know." My fingers curl into his shirt. Every muscle in my body unwinds, releasing tension I hadn't realized I'd been carrying. "I was worried, too."

Over Lucas's shoulder, I watch Kellan and Vester exchange a warrior's greeting—forearms clasped before Vester yanks Kellan into a quick, rough embrace. The small Fae girl between them looks even tinier, her purple hair a stark contrast against the snow. Her chains jingle as she shifts from foot to foot.

As much as I want to revel in Lucas' return, I can't ignore her.

"What are you planning to do with her?" The girl can't be more than thirteen, and something about her reminds me of myself at that age—lost, uncertain, trying to appear braver than I feel. Maybe I'm projecting.

Lucas's arms tighten fractionally. "She has information about the New Order. And about Jericho. I missed you."

The warmth of his love clashes with the ice chill of worry in my veins. I haven't seen the old man, but I'm still hoping for good news. "Jericho? Did you find him?"

against my temple. "But we found what they left

her entire body trembles. Her fingers toy with one of the chains running from her shoulder to her belt—not restraints, I realize, but some sort

trying to help evacuate Jericho's

into my neck, breathing in deep near the mate mark over my crescent scar, I frown in the direction of the girl. Her shoulders hunch as Kellan approaches her. Despite his gentle expression, she takes a step backward, chains

says, his voice pitched low and soothing. "We just need to get you somewhere warm and safe while we sort this

touch his arm. "She's

my fingers. "She should be. The things we found..." He shakes his head. "But we'll treat her fairly. We should be on the same side, but we don't have enough information to be certain. She could

comes out as a quiet rumble meant for my ears alone. I watch as Kellan and Vester

exhausted." Lucas' thumb traces the shadows beneath my eyes. "What happened here? I

sigh. There's so much to explain. "I want to drag you home and never leave

light up. "I like this

wiggling out of his arms, "there's too much to talk about. They told you about

"Yes."

to the Magister. Maybe she'll open up to him. It doesn't look like the Fae trust wolf

talk. Then, he's back. "Considering the nature of our relationship with the

Sanctuary as the Unregistered City; I've forgotten how many scouts have lost their lives trying to learn

odd that the other supernaturals are so interconnected, but only our wolf packs have been segregated?" I ask, as Lucas

and vampires aren't often seen even in the Registered Communities. They have no interest in

even know they were real until Sister Miriam," I point out with a frown. "That's just weird. Not even the humans talked about them. And now

supernaturals—we've heard Japan has a large population of fox shifters, for example, but we have little information on

a priority of mine. It's been go-go-go and survival every step of the way.