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

like we do

limited by

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

Nothing.

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

find even a rumor on this Mad Prince? That's what

Ryder agrees quietly. "Are you absolutely

I grit out, unable to contain the flare of

has no idea

delta's hands go up in a placating gesture that has

my chair, the weight of responsibility crushing

17:39

☐☐☐☐☐☐☐ CT

"Stand at ease, Ryder."

radiating from him mirrors. my own. "What else can you tell me about the pack rites?"

too soon.

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

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

"I'll call them in the morning." Even though we have no news, no hope to give them. Their daughter

me. "I'll talk to them." Though I already know what a disaster that

world. They're not equipped to handle this kind of

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

170 1ess Brand

to join the investigation, it

more than a

human can investigate a supernatural

to the death toll, and the Unregistered don't

door.

likely to have a hard time,"

frayed nerves getting the better of me. Taking a deep breath, I force myself to relax. "I'm sorry, Ryder. I shouldn't take this out on

all pushed to our limits, desperate for a break in the case, some way to strike

do something. "I'm going to check on the preparations for the rites. Keep