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 me. "What is

your mother able to

He stares.

One second..

Two.

Vanessa

Going to

the words even

it out when she visited me

his head, he turns his attention back to the map. "Keep such thoughts to yourself, Aval Grey. There are certain talents people would kill to get their hands

truth of his words has me shuddering. I know the

at me, but

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

us

in a way that has Marcus doubtful it can even get us to the place marked on the map,

goes where

He's a strange person.

back roads, avoiding major highways. If we took one, the drive would only take three hours, apparently. But with how the world is burning, we decide on

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 of stars in the sky, telling us we're far from any large human city. No light

bright too, and about three-quarters

toward it.

her eyes dancing. "He can't respond, but

the way."

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

Selene; there's only vast

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

I can feel Lucas. Well, not

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

mark."

Going to

separate us, and

taking on a thoughtful tone, "considering everything

a blush creeping up my cheeks. "What do

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 all the difference. And with

it slow-mostly because of me. I wanted to be accepted by his pack, to prove myself

with everything that's happened, Vanessa has a

think we should? Even in

nods. "I 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,