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

mind link like we do

by distance,

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

Nothing.

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

we can't find even a rumor on this Mad

even verify he exists," Ryder agrees quietly. "Are

of irritation at a delta

if he has no idea who gave me the

that has my mental hackles rippling. "I

my beard. and lean back in my chair, the weight

17:39

☐☐☐☐☐☐☐ CT

"Stand at ease, Ryder."

own. "What else can you tell me about the pack rites?" The

too soon.

I can see the pain in his eyes. "Your funeral clothes are ready for you in your qu Fury lashes through me,

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

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 part of

know what a disaster that will be. Humans

They're not equipped to handle

Granite City police-who are well aware of their jurisdiction and would only send

170 1ess Brand

to join

nothing more than a

human can investigate a

the death toll, and the

door.

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

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

nods 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 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 me updated if anything