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

by distance,

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.

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

a rumor on this Mad Prince? That's what

even verify he exists," Ryder agrees quietly.

to contain the flare of irritation at a delta daring

if he has no idea

placating gesture that has my mental hackles rippling. "I didn't mean to

back in my chair, the weight of responsibility crushing my chest. After a few moments, I force myself to rein in my

17:39

☐☐☐☐☐☐☐ CT

"Stand at ease, Ryder."

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

too soon.

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 for

have been calling every few hours for updates." His too-calm

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 sadistic vampire, a "They insist on the local police being

escapes me. "I'll talk to them." Though I already know what a disaster that will be. Humans have no idea about

world. They're not equipped to handle this kind

the Granite City police-who are well aware of their jurisdiction

170 1ess Brand

at play-were to join the investigation, it

as nothing more than a

can investigate a supernatural

only asking for more bodies to add to the death toll, and the Unregistered don't play nicely with any government

door.

the investigation is likely to have a

of me. Taking a deep breath, I force myself to

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 the

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