Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 454

Chapter 454 - 454: Lucas: Ava's Era

LUCAS

I watch Clayton take his first step into Ivy's cabin, guilt curdling in my abdomen. It isn't just from failing to keep his sister safe, but also other things.

My irritation over her presence. My frustration. How I avoided her as much as possible, not wanting to feed into her delusions about her future in Wolf's Landing. These are all dirty truths I'll take with me to my grave; Clayton doesn't need to know.

I remain outside the cabin, giving the Aspen Alpha the space he needs. The wind cuts through my jacket, but I barely feel it. My attention shifts toward movement across the compound—Lisa walking with five wolves flanking her. One in front, one on each side, two behind. A few more further back, because we aren't taking chances.

My eyes narrow. Her walk seems normal—no odd twitches or hesitation in her step. She doesn't appear to be in a trance, though dark circles under her eyes betray her exhaustion. Her shoulders are tense, but that's expected with the security detail hovering around her.

What's strange is her destination. Why is she heading toward Magister Orion's temporary quarters? The Fae aren't exactly welcoming to humans, and that area contains our "guest" as well.

I activate a link with one of her guards.

Where are you taking her?

Luna Ava's orders, Alpha. She's being sent to the Fae Princess.

I give a slight nod. The explanation is reasonable; Ava trusts Lisa, and she has a light-hearted, gregarious attitude which might work better on Pip than the intimidation shifters specialize in.

Different perspectives might reveal more information.

I'll have to focus on the girl more, but things have gotten busier than normal. It's hard to keep all my duties balanced. Ava's come a long way as Luna since I first brought her to Westwood, but Kellan is the true force between the organization of our pack.

his mission

I catch the faint tightness around his eyes, the subtle clench of his jaw. More telling is his scent—the bitter notes of rage

recognizes it immediately.

course he

meet mine, colder than I've ever seen them. Ivy was his only surviving family. "I want

seen this before in wolves

form. "Ava's friend is heading there now. She's

Lisa and her guards disappear around a

her," I clarify. "She's

softens marginally. Even in grief, Clayton

time for a little distraction. Take the edge off his grief and rage. "You hungry?" Food seems like an inadequate offering, but there isn't much else to invite a guest to do around

comforts of home,

a

isn't unexpected. "Would you rather stay with

talk." His voice is steadier now, but still taut. "Get a better

been rough, only getting better after cell service was restored. And now

go to the debriefing tent," I say,

he's probably fine. Still, I should probably make sure that Wes kid knows to give them an ample supply of firewood. They'll probably use more than those of us already acclimated

to attention as we pass. The presence of two alphas in one territory always creates a certain tension,

it up in Aspen?" I ask, attempting normal conversation. The silence is too heavy, even

glances around. "Strange." The word comes out

my pace slightly, studying his profile. His eyes dart toward a cluster of wolves

you don't

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