Tangled

170

170

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 we

is limited by distance,

outside world, they are almost completely closed to any of the large wolf packs. Even the rogue shifters

Nothing.

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

even a rumor on this

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

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

he has no idea who

hands go up in a placating gesture that has my mental hackles rippling. "I didn't mean to

back in my chair, the weight of responsibility crushing my chest. After a few

17:39

☐☐☐☐☐☐☐ CT

"Stand at ease, Ryder."

my own. "What else can you tell me about the pack rites?" The words feel

too soon.

Healer arrived an hour ago to show solidarity during 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 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 me

Even though we have no news, no hope to give them. Their daughter is still missing, likely suffering at the hands of a sadistic vampire, a "They insist on the

escapes me. "I'll talk to them." Though I already know what a disaster that will be. Humans

not equipped to

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

170 1ess Brand

play-were to

as nothing more

investigate

death toll, and

door.

likely to have a hard time,"

of me. Taking a deep breath, I force myself to

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

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