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 still

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

Nothing.

a single lead outside of

we can't find even a rumor on this Mad Prince? That's

to even verify he exists," Ryder

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

he has no idea who gave me the

up in a placating gesture that has my mental hackles

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

17:39

☐☐☐☐☐☐☐ CT

"Stand at ease, Ryder."

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

too soon.

the service. 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 through me, hot

every few hours for updates." His too-calm words

sigh heavily, running 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,

already know what a disaster that will be. Humans have no idea about

They're not equipped to handle this kind of

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

170 1ess Brand

play-were to join

nothing more than a

investigate

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

door.

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

the better of me. Taking a deep breath, I force myself to relax. "I'm sorry, Ryder. I shouldn't take this

I can 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

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