Tangled

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

body sliding across the

heart races as we careen onto a narrow road I hadn't even noticed. The sudden turn sends a

me from the constant itch of magic

cut out the seatbelts?" I mutter, rubbing my elbow where it smacked against the

side, branches scraping against the truck's exterior. It's a small forest here, much more densely wooded than the

in the sight before us. A cluster of cabins nestles against rolling hills, the structures weathered but sturdy. A creek meanders

the picturesque setting that captures my attention. It's the

bustle of pack

20:21

263 Ava: The Compound

wolves emerges to meet us, their expressions grim

weapons.

Westwood I know. This

to a stop, and I'm out the door before Marcus can fully engage the parking brake. My eyes scan the gathered faces, searching desperately for anyone familiar. Then I spot him,

"Kellan!"

him, questions tumbling from my lips. before I can even catch

usually so composed, shows the strain of recent days. He holds up a hand, silencing my barrage of questions. "Ava, there's a lot

these cottages scream hospital to me. And unlike the Fae Ward. I doubt there's magic here that turns a

20:21

4/0

263

Ava: The Compound

a giant

confirms, but

he's...

complicated."

Complicated doesn't begin to cover the chaos we've been through. I need to see Lucas,

movement behind Kellan catches my eye. Another wolf-it takes me a

sister would be touching if I weren't

Vester?" I ask, noticing the absence of Vanessa's

apart from the others. It looks more like a guard post than a home, and my unease

led in a different direction by Ryder. The separation makes my skin prickle, and I scratch at my arms furiously in an attempt

20:21

570

263 Ava, The Compound

me for so

is weird.

on?" I demand as we approach the

"Ava, I need you to understand

"Protect us from what?"

mine,

staggering. "From forces that want to tear us apart. Both from outside... and

A table dominates the small space, covered in maps. and documents. The walls are bare