Tangled

170

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

link like we do

is limited by distance, but still

to any of the large wolf packs. Even the rogue shifters allowed within their city lin Ryder's

Nothing.

single lead outside of what Ava's learned

even a rumor on this

verify he exists," Ryder

the flare of irritation at a delta daring to

has no idea who gave me

delta's hands go up in a placating gesture that has my mental hackles rippling. "I

scratch at my beard. and lean back in my chair, the weight of responsibility crushing my chest.

17:39

☐☐☐☐☐☐☐ CT

"Stand at ease, Ryder."

else can you tell me about the pack rites?" The words feel

too soon.

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,

parents have been calling every few hours for updates." His too-calm words pull me

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

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

equipped to handle this kind of

police-who are well aware of their jurisdiction and would only

170 1ess Brand

issues at play-were to join the investigation, it

nothing more than

human can investigate a supernatural

only asking for more bodies to add to the death toll, and the Unregistered

door.

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

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

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

move, to do something. "I'm going to check