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

link like

limited by distance, but still

almost completely closed to any of the large wolf packs. Even the rogue

Nothing.

we haven't manufactured a single lead outside of what

can't find even a rumor on this Mad Prince? That's what you're

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

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

idea who

that has my mental

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

17:39

☐☐☐☐☐☐☐ CT

"Stand at ease, Ryder."

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

too soon.

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

updates." His too-calm words pull

them. Their daughter is still missing,

me. "I'll talk to them." Though I already know what

world. They're not equipped to handle this kind

police-who are well aware of their

170 1ess Brand

play-were to join the

as nothing more than

investigate

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

door.

is likely to have a hard time," Ryder

frayed nerves getting the better of me. Taking a deep breath,

our limits, desperate for a break in the case, some

do something. "I'm going to check on the