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

able to

He stares.

One second..

Two.

and Vanessa look

Ava: Going

asks, the words

"Figured it out when she visited me after

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

I know the feeling of

mouths, 'stop time? at me,

it's a secret Sister

us

to the place marked on the map,

he only goes where his mother tells

He's a strange person.

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

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

The moon is bright too, and about three-quarters

toward it.

Vester. Her lips curve, her eyes dancing. "He can't respond, but

the way."

something within me, and I close my

feel Selene; there's only vast emptiness where her consciousness should

painful, but a

feel Lucas. Well, not him,

smile. "That's wonderful, Ava. It means he's okay. It would probably

mark."

Going to

us, and buoys

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

me off guard, and I feel a blush creeping up

would be stronger. You'd be able to sense each other more

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

with everything that's happened, Vanessa has a

really think we should? Even in this

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, that could