Tangled

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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

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170 LUCA Rame

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

mind link like

by distance, but

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 everything I need

Nothing.

lead outside of what Ava's learned from her

a rumor on this Mad

yet to even verify he exists," Ryder agrees quietly. "Are you absolutely positive on the

the flare of

has no idea who gave

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

at my beard. and lean back in my chair, the weight of responsibility crushing my chest. After a few moments, I force myself to rein in

17:39

☐☐☐☐☐☐☐ CT

"Stand at ease, Ryder."

but the tension radiating from him mirrors. my own. "What else can you tell me about the pack rites?" The words feel like sandpaper on my tongue. A funeral for all the

too soon.

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

every few hours for updates." His too-calm words pull

heavily, running a hand over my face. "I'll call them in the morning." Even though we have no news, no hope to give them. Their daughter is still missing, likely suffering at

talk to them." Though I already know what

equipped to handle this kind of

if the Granite City police-who are well aware of their jurisdiction and would only send someone sensitive

170 1ess Brand

to join the investigation, it

more

can investigate a

the death toll, and the Unregistered don't play

door.

likely to have a hard time," Ryder points out, echoing my

me. Taking a deep breath, I force myself to relax. "I'm sorry, Ryder. I shouldn't take

limits, desperate for a break in

going to check on the preparations for