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

mind link like we do

limited by distance,

and do business with the outside world, they are almost completely closed to any of the large wolf packs.

Nothing.

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

rumor on this Mad Prince? That's what

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

grit out, unable to contain the flare of irritation

he has no idea who gave me the

placating gesture that has my mental hackles rippling. "I didn't mean

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

17:39

☐☐☐☐☐☐☐ CT

"Stand at ease, Ryder."

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

too soon.

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

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

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

equipped to handle this

of

170 1ess Brand

play-were to join the investigation,

nothing more

investigate a supernatural

to add to the death toll, and the Unregistered don't play nicely with any government

door.

joining the investigation is likely to have a hard time," Ryder

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

face. We're all pushed to our limits, desperate for a

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