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

15

170 LUCA Rame

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

link like

is limited by distance,

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 everything I need to know about the contents

Nothing.

and we haven't manufactured a single lead outside of

on this Mad

exists," Ryder agrees quietly. "Are you absolutely

of irritation at a delta daring to

he has no idea

hands go up in a placating gesture that has my mental hackles rippling.

from my throat as I scratch at my beard. and lean back in my chair, the weight of responsibility crushing my chest. After a few moments,

17:39

☐☐☐☐☐☐☐ CT

"Stand at ease, Ryder."

own. "What else can you tell me about the

too soon.

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

for updates." His too-calm words

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 the hands of a sadistic vampire, a

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

world. They're not equipped to

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

170 1ess Brand

play-were to join the investigation,

as nothing more than a

human can investigate a

add to the death toll,

door.

is likely to have a hard time," Ryder

frayed nerves getting the better of me. Taking a deep breath, I

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

to check on the preparations for the rites. Keep