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 me.

your mother able to

He stares.

One second..

Two.

and Vanessa look

Ava: Going to

the words even

nod. "Figured it out when

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

shuddering. I know the feeling of being targeted too

time? at me, but I just

for another day. If it's a secret Sister Miriam keeps in order to stay alive, I'll keep it

lends us a

old and rusted. The engine 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

he only goes where his mother

He's a strange person.

the back roads, avoiding major highways. If

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

is bright too, and about three-quarters full.

toward it.

lips curve, her eyes dancing.

the way."

and I close my eyes, reaching out

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

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

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

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."

Ava: Going to

separate us, and buoys my

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

words catch me off guard, and I feel a blush creeping up my cheeks. "What do

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 how strong you both are? Who knows. That level

me. I wanted to be

with everything that's happened,

we should? Even in this

mate bond strengthens both partners. You'd