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

is limited by distance,

city of vampires is 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

Nothing.

we haven't manufactured a single lead outside of

on this Mad Prince? That's

Ryder agrees quietly. "Are you absolutely

of irritation at a delta daring

idea who gave me the

gesture that has

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

17:39

☐☐☐☐☐☐☐ CT

"Stand at ease, Ryder."

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

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 lives lost, and

every few hours for updates." His too-calm words pull me from my

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

Though I already know

not equipped to handle this kind of

police-who are well aware of their

170 1ess Brand

to

as nothing more than a

human can investigate a

death toll, and the Unregistered don't play nicely with any government

door.

joining the investigation is likely to have a hard time,"

snap, my 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

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

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