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"

look toward

your mother able to

He stares.

One second..

Two.

Vanessa

Ava: Going to

know?" he asks, the words even

out when she visited me

the map. "Keep such thoughts to yourself, Aval Grey. There are certain

me shuddering. I know the feeling

'stop time? at me,

another day. If it's a secret Sister

lends us a

can even get us to the place marked on the map, and Vanessa holds onto the door for dear life as we

follow, saying he only goes where his mother tells him

He's a strange person.

first hour is nothing but Marcus muttering directions to himself as he makes his way through the back roads, avoiding major highways. If

I'm in the backseat, which is basically a tiny bench that pretends it's big enough for someone to sit on.

and about three-quarters full. A piece of my soul

toward it.

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

the way."

me, and I close my eyes, reaching out

only vast emptiness where

but a

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 together. "That's usually with the

mark."

Going to

and buoys

voice taking on a thoughtful tone, "considering everything that's happened,

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

sense each other more clearly, communicate better. In times like

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

happened, Vanessa has

think we should? Even

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