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 we do as

limited by

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

Nothing.

we haven't manufactured a single lead outside of

find even a rumor on this Mad Prince? That's

he exists," Ryder agrees quietly. "Are you absolutely positive

grit out, unable to contain the flare of irritation

idea who

delta's hands go up in a placating gesture that has my mental hackles rippling. "I didn't mean to

frustrated growl tears from my throat as I scratch at my beard. and lean back in my chair, the

17:39

☐☐☐☐☐☐☐ CT

"Stand at ease, Ryder."

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

too soon.

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 what? I have nothing to tell their families, no justice to offer them. No way to ease their

for updates." His too-calm words pull me from

my face. "I'll call them in the morning." Even though we have no news, no hope to give them. Their daughter

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

They're not equipped to handle this kind of

City police-who are well aware of

170 1ess Brand

play-were to join the investigation, it

as nothing more than

investigate a supernatural

death toll, and the

door.

to have a hard

breath, I force myself to relax. "I'm sorry, Ryder. I shouldn't take this

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

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