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

like we

by

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 everything I need to know

Nothing.

single lead outside of what Ava's

rumor on this Mad Prince?

to even verify he exists," Ryder agrees quietly. "Are you absolutely

unable to contain the flare of irritation at a delta

if he has no idea who gave me the

gesture that has my mental hackles rippling.

my beard. and lean back in my chair, the weight of responsibility crushing my chest. After

17:39

☐☐☐☐☐☐☐ CT

"Stand at ease, Ryder."

you tell me about the pack rites?" The words feel like sandpaper on my

too soon.

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

have been calling every few hours for updates."

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

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

not equipped to handle

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

170 1ess Brand

at play-were to join the

more than a

can investigate a

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

door.

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

know," I snap, my frayed nerves getting the better of me. Taking a deep breath, I force myself

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

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