Tangled

Unshift 259

Unshift 259

259 Ava: Going to Lucas

No shit.

I could have told him that; in so many ways, wolf packs are far behind their human counterparts. Even the humans have run little news clips on these things. Especially the rates of sexual assault. on women, or wolf-on-wolf violence.

"How do you know this?" Vanessa asks suspiciously. "You said communication has bee disrupted."

"Not all communication. Only those relying on human technology.

"Then shouldn't you know more about what's happening in the world?" I frown at the Inconsistency.

"If I had people to communicate with, I would know. I don't, so I am as lost as you are, Here. A map." Acarus tosses a rolled up paper to Marcus.

witchling.

For some reason, I expected something old and antique, with yellowed paper and jagged edges.

This is more like a smooth poster banner, neatly rolled up. A modern map.

Of course it is. Why would I think otherwise?

Distracted by thoughts of Lisa, I tune them out as they discuss routes and nearby cities. Ever since I decided to become a proper Luna, I've avoided thinking about her, leaving me with an icky feeling that I'm a terrible friend.

It's like no matter what, every decision feels wrong.

But every time I go down that road, I'm told I'm wallowing.

There's a huge part of me that still thinks I should have gone my own way and saved Lisa. Of course there is. Who wouldn't want to tell the world to fuck off and save their best friend?

But her safety came out of luck, not from the effort I put into it. Not even from the efforts of Lucas' pack.

It adds to that guilt rolling around in my soul.

Thinking about Lisa and the time after her kidnapping has my mind wandering down the dark days of not knowing anything, until Sister Miriam-

"Wait a second. Acarus, maybe you can answer this question"

pauses mid-sentence to look toward me.

mother able to

He stares.

One second..

Two.

Vanessa look

Going

asks, the words even and

when she visited me

attention back to the map. "Keep such thoughts to yourself, Aval Grey. There are certain talents people would

shuddering. I know

me,

for another day. If it's a secret Sister Miriam keeps in order to stay

lends us

a way that has Marcus doubtful it can even get us to the place marked on the map, and Vanessa holds onto the door for dear life

he only goes where his mother

He's a strange person.

avoiding major highways. If we took one, the drive would only take three hours, apparently. But

that pretends it's big enough for someone to sit on. "What is it?" Groggy, I glance out the window. It's dark. Lots of stars in the sky, telling us

and about three-quarters

toward it.

can sense Vester. Her lips curve, her eyes dancing.

the way."

words stir something within me, and I close my eyes, reaching out with my

feel Selene; there's only

chest, not quite painful, but a definite pressure. It's different from my connection with Selene,

Well, not

her seat, with a warm smile. "That's wonderful, Ava. It means he's okay. It would probably hurt if he wasn't. Though..." Her brows draw together. "That's usually with

mark."

Going to

and buoys my

taking on a thoughtful tone, "considering everything that's happened, maybe it's time you and

a

"The partial bond you have now is a handicap, Ava. If you were fully. mated, your connection would be stronger. You'd be able to sense each other more

because of me. I wanted to be accepted by his pack, to

that's happened,

really think we should?

do. It's not just about the physical aspect, Ava. A completed mate bond strengthens both partners. You'd be able to draw on each other's strength, share energy. And in a crisis like this, that could