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 we do as

is limited by distance, but

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

Nothing.

manufactured a single lead outside of what Ava's learned from her little

rumor on this Mad Prince? That's what

Ryder agrees quietly. "Are you absolutely positive on

of irritation at a delta daring

idea who gave me the

that has

frustrated growl tears 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, I

17:39

☐☐☐☐☐☐☐ CT

"Stand at ease, Ryder."

mirrors. my own. "What else can you tell me about the pack rites?" The words feel like sandpaper on

too soon.

beta and their Elder Healer arrived an hour ago 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

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

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

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

to handle this

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

170 1ess Brand

play-were to

nothing more

can investigate a

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

door.

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

of me. Taking a deep breath, I

limits, desperate for a break in the case, some way to

move, to do something. "I'm going to check on the preparations for