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"

to look toward

mother able

He stares.

One second..

Two.

and Vanessa look

Ava: Going

the

nod. "Figured it out when she visited

back to the map. "Keep such thoughts to yourself,

words has me shuddering. I know the

'stop time? at me, but

secret Sister Miriam keeps in order to stay alive, I'll keep it

lends us

sputters in 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 as we bounce our way down the

follow, saying he only goes where his mother

He's a strange person.

to himself as he makes his way through the back roads, avoiding major highways. If we took one, the drive would only take three hours, apparently. But with

fallen asleep after a while, because Vanessa shakes me awake by the shoulder. I'm in the backseat, which is basically a tiny bench that pretends it's big enough for someone to sit on. "What is it?" Groggy, I glance out the window. It's dark. Lots

is bright too, and about

toward it.

Her lips curve, her eyes dancing. "He can't respond, but I told him

the way."

me, and I close my eyes, reaching out

can't feel Selene; there's only vast emptiness where

faint tugging in my chest, not quite painful, but a definite pressure. It's

sure I can feel Lucas. Well, not him, but

turns in her seat, with a warm smile. "That's wonderful, Ava. It means he's okay. It would probably hurt if he wasn't.

mark."

Ava: Going

separate us, and buoys

a thoughtful tone, "considering everything that's happened,

I feel a blush creeping up my cheeks. "What do

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 clearly, communicate better. In times like these, that could make

I wanted to be accepted by his pack, to prove myself as

that's happened, Vanessa has a

we should?

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 be