Tangled

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170

170 Lucas: Rites

LUCAS

"Everything's ready for the pack rites, but are you sure our Luna won't be there?"

Delta Ryder looks as exhausted as feel. Aside from the moments I stole to be with Ava at the expense of my pack duties, I've had no sleep or rest.

My wolf has been silent in my head since she left. We don't have the connection that Ava seems to have with Selene-

our conversations aren't as in depth, and he doesn't feel like a completely separate entity as their bond is-but he still feels the loss of his pack children keenly.

He doesn't even have a name, and I can't believe I've never asked

him about it.

I've always called him my wolf.

"No. She's intending to visit with her mother again and see if she can glean any more information." Not that I'm sure why. I want to tell Kellan to drag her back to Westwood at all costs, but that's a terrible way to Despite having a magnet for trouble, I need to let her make decisions for herself.

Rubbing between my eyebrows, I shuffle through more reports. Another dead scout, though we can't find his body.

Ryder has a few humans he trusts in the Unregistered city, but we

17:30 - 0

15

170 LUCA Rame

have no word from them and no way to check on them. They don't

mind link like we do

is limited by distance,

vampires is as modern as they come and do business with the outside world, they are almost completely closed to any of the large wolf packs. Even the rogue shifters allowed within their city lin Ryder's tension in front of my desk tells me

Nothing.

this time and we haven't manufactured a single lead outside of what Ava's learned

on this Mad Prince? That's what

have yet to even verify he exists," Ryder agrees

contain the flare of irritation

if he has no idea who

up in a placating gesture that has my mental hackles rippling. "I didn't mean to

back in my chair, the weight of responsibility

17:39

☐☐☐☐☐☐☐ CT

"Stand at ease, Ryder."

about the pack rites?" The words feel like sandpaper on my tongue. A funeral for all

too soon.

to show solidarity during the service. Ryder's voice is steady, but I can see the pain in his eyes. "Your funeral clothes are ready for you in your qu Fury lashes through me, hot and sharp. All those innocent lives lost, and for what? I have nothing to tell their families, no justice

updates." His too-calm words pull

Even though we have no news, no hope to give them. Their daughter is still missing, likely suffering at the hands of a sadistic vampire, a "They insist on the local police being part of the

to them." Though I already know what a disaster that

equipped to handle this

of their jurisdiction and would only send someone sensitive to

170 1ess Brand

to

more

can investigate a supernatural

death toll, and the Unregistered don't play nicely

door.

investigation is likely to have

Taking a deep breath, I force myself to relax. "I'm sorry,

in understanding, but I can see the strain on his face. We're all pushed to our limits, desperate for a break in the case, some way

to check on the