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

mind link like we do as

limited by distance,

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 need to know about the contents

Nothing.

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

even a rumor on this Mad Prince? That's

yet to even verify he exists," Ryder agrees

to contain the flare of irritation at a delta

he has no idea who gave

that has my mental hackles rippling. "I didn't mean to question you,

back in my chair, the weight of responsibility crushing my chest. After a few

17:39

☐☐☐☐☐☐☐ CT

"Stand at ease, Ryder."

obeys immediately, but the tension radiating from him mirrors. my own. "What else can you tell me about the pack rites?" The words feel like sandpaper on my tongue. A funeral for all the young wolves lost

too soon.

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 ease their

for updates."

to give them. Their daughter is still missing, likely suffering at the hands of a sadistic vampire, a "They insist on

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

world. They're not equipped to handle

are well aware of their jurisdiction and would only send someone

170 1ess Brand

play-were to

as nothing more than

investigate

toll, and the Unregistered don't play nicely

door.

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

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

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

stand abruptly, needing to move, to do something. "I'm going to check on the preparations for the rites. Keep me updated if