Tangled

Chapter 263

Unshift 263

Unshift 263

263 Ava: The Compound

263 Ava: The Compound

My heart thumps hard, trying its best to knock my ribs out of place with excitement. "Is everyone okay?

What's going on?"

Vanessa's eyes unfocus as she communicates with her mate. Waiting is like being bitten by a squad of fire ants, each prickle against my skin beginning to burn as I squirm, impatient for answers.

"He doesn't want to give any answers until we see him, but he said things are stable." There's an uncertain waver in her voice, but I keep quiet as she speaks with Vester, feeling my own unease building.

Stable.

That could mean a lot of things, and they aren't all good.

Marcus stiffens beside me and I glance out the window, expecting to see something on the road.

Nothing.

"There's a few scouts nearby," he says after a long pause. "Vanessa, you sense them?"

20-21

263 Ava: The Compound

"Three," she confirms. "I'm not familiar with them, but I recognize them."

"We're about ten minutes out. We'll run into a few

more waves of scouts, staggered so they can stay in contact." He glances at me. "Like a telephone relay."

"Ten minutes?!" Vanessa frowns. "Vester should have been able to reach me a long time ago."

"I should be able to reach the alpha," Marcus agrees. "But I can't."

"Something's wrong." The healer's look of relief is once again replaced by worry. "This isn't right."

"The area's safe, so just relax until we get there. Someone should be able to give us proper answers then."

I hope he's right.

***

"Shit. Hold on!"

The truck lurches violently, throwing me against the door as Marcus slams on the brakes. Gravel crunches under the tires, and I barely catch myself before my face meets the dashboard.

20:21

263 Ava: The Compound

Vanessa curses, her body

we careen onto a narrow road I hadn't even noticed. The sudden turn sends a jolt of

the constant itch of magic under

cut out the seatbelts?" I mutter, rubbing

against the

a clearing. My breath catches as I take in the sight before us. A cluster of cabins nestles against rolling hills,

the picturesque setting that captures my attention. It's

bustle of pack life?

20:21

263 Ava: The Compound

a community? Instead, a group of wolves

weapons.

Westwood I know. This is a war

before Marcus can fully engage the parking brake. My eyes scan the gathered

"Kellan!"

questions tumbling from my lips. before I can even catch my breath. "Where's Lucas? Is he okay?

strain of recent days. He holds up a hand, silencing my barrage of questions. "Ava, there's a lot we need

cottages scream hospital to me. And unlike the Fae Ward. I doubt

20:21

4/0

263

Ava: The Compound

into a

here," Kellan confirms, but his tone does little

me. "And he's... stable. But

complicated."

to scream in frustration. Complicated doesn't begin to cover the chaos we've been through. I need to

movement behind Kellan catches my eye. Another wolf-it takes me a while to recognize Ryder,

reunion of brother and sister would be

the absence

small cabin set apart from the others. It looks more like a guard post than a home,

my skin prickle,

20:21

570

263 Ava, The Compound

for

is weird.

I demand as we approach

you to understand that everything we're doing is to protect the

"Protect us from what?"

meet mine, and the

them is staggering. "From forces that want to tear us apart. Both

a spartan interior. A table dominates the small space, covered in maps. and documents. The walls are bare except for a

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255