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

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170 LUCA Rame

have no word from them and no way to check on them. They don't

a mind link like we

is limited by distance, but

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

Nothing.

haven't manufactured a single lead outside

find even a rumor on this Mad Prince? That's what you're telling

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

of irritation at a delta daring to

no idea who gave

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

I scratch at my beard. and lean back in my chair, the weight of responsibility crushing my chest. After a few moments, I force

17:39

☐☐☐☐☐☐☐ CT

"Stand at ease, Ryder."

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

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

few hours for updates." His too-calm words

news, no hope to give them. Their daughter is still missing, likely suffering at the hands of a sadistic vampire,

them." Though I already know what a disaster that

They're not equipped to handle this kind

are well aware of their jurisdiction

170 1ess Brand

to join

nothing more than

can investigate a supernatural

death toll, and the

door.

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

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

face. We're all pushed to our limits, desperate for a break in the case, some way to

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