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

like we do as

is limited by distance, but

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

Nothing.

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

even a rumor on this Mad Prince? That's

have yet to even verify he exists," Ryder agrees quietly. "Are

grit out, unable to contain the flare of irritation at a delta

if he has no idea who

has my mental hackles rippling.

my chair, the weight of responsibility crushing

17:39

☐☐☐☐☐☐☐ CT

"Stand at ease, Ryder."

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

too soon.

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.

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

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

them." Though I already know what a

world. They're not equipped to handle

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

170 1ess Brand

to join the investigation, it

more than a

investigate a

death toll, and the Unregistered don't play nicely

door.

to have a hard time," Ryder

the better of me. Taking a deep breath, I force myself to relax. "I'm sorry, Ryder. I

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

going to check on