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?"

His jaw clenches against my temple. "But we found

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

help evacuate Jericho's group, but something went wrong.

Orion and his people watch her." As he nuzzles his face 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

and soothing. "We just need to get you

touch his arm.

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 be

rumble meant for my ears alone. I watch as Kellan and Vester escort the girl further into Wolf's Landing, their broad frames making

my

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

up. "I

continue firmly, wiggling out of his arms, "there's too much

"Yes."

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

a moment as I talk. Then, he's back. "Considering the nature

long time since I've thought of Dakota Sanctuary as the Unregistered City; I've forgotten how many scouts have lost their lives trying to learn more about

it odd that the other supernaturals are so interconnected, but only our wolf packs have been segregated?" I ask, as Lucas finally walks with me. Not in the direction of

at his chin. "I suppose it is. Fae and vampires aren't often seen even in the Registered Communities. They have no interest in working with

even the humans talked about

with a sigh. "But the Registered Communities here are usually filled with non-wolf shifters, half-breeds, and rogue wolves. There are many other types of supernaturals—we've heard Japan has a large population of fox shifters, for example, but we

but history lessons weren't a priority of mine. It's been