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?"

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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.

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263 Ava: The Compound

body

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

itch of magic

mutter, rubbing

Trees press close on either side, branches scraping against the truck's exterior. It's a small forest here, much more densely wooded than the places we've passed

what seems like an eternity of bumps and swerves, the forest gives way to a clearing. My breath catches as I take in the sight before us. A cluster of cabins nestles against rolling hills,

it's not the picturesque setting that captures my attention. It's the

of pack

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263 Ava: The Compound

a community? Instead, a group of wolves emerges to meet

weapons.

Westwood I know. This is

the parking brake. My eyes scan the gathered faces, searching desperately for anyone familiar. Then

"Kellan!"

my lips. before I can even catch my breath. "Where's Lucas? Is

holds up a hand, silencing my barrage of questions. "Ava, there's a lot we need to discuss before I can take

none of these cottages scream hospital to me. And unlike the Fae Ward. I doubt there's

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Ava: The Compound

into a

here," Kellan confirms, but his tone

he's... stable.

complicated."

we've been

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

brother and sister would be touching if I weren't so

the absence of Vanessa's mate among

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

Ryder. The separation makes my skin prickle, and

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263 Ava, The Compound

with me for so long. Being

is weird.

on?" I demand as we

hand on the doorknob. "Ava, I need you to

"Protect us from what?"

meet mine, and the

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

small space, covered in maps. and documents. The walls are bare

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