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

mind link like we do

is limited by

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 rogue shifters allowed within their city lin Ryder's tension in front of my desk

Nothing.

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

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

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

I grit out, unable to contain the flare of irritation

no idea who gave me

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

I scratch at my beard. and lean back in my chair, the weight of responsibility

17:39

☐☐☐☐☐☐☐ CT

"Stand at ease, Ryder."

the pack rites?" The words feel like sandpaper on my tongue. A funeral for all

too soon.

"Your funeral clothes are ready for you in your qu Fury lashes through me,

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

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 sadistic vampire, a "They

already know what a disaster that will be. Humans have no idea about

to handle

aware of their jurisdiction and would

170 1ess Brand

at play-were to join the investigation,

nothing more than

human can investigate a supernatural

for more bodies to add to the death toll, and the Unregistered

door.

investigation is likely to have a hard time," Ryder points out, echoing

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

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

move, to do something. "I'm going to check