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

a mind link like

limited by

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

Nothing.

a single lead

can't find even a rumor on this Mad Prince? That's what

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

the flare of irritation at a

if he has no idea who gave me the

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

in my chair, the weight of

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☐☐☐☐☐☐☐ CT

"Stand at ease, Ryder."

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

too soon.

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 to tell their families, no justice to offer them. No way to

have been calling every few hours for updates." His

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 the hands of a

to them." Though I already know what a disaster that will be. Humans have no

to handle

City police-who are well aware of their jurisdiction and

170 1ess Brand

play-were to join the

as nothing more

human can investigate a

the death toll, and the Unregistered don't play nicely

door.

investigation is likely to have a hard

know," I snap, my frayed nerves getting the better of me. Taking a deep breath, I force myself to

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

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