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

her body

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

me from the constant itch of magic under

I mutter, rubbing my elbow where it

squinting at the winding gravel path ahead. 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

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

setting that captures my attention. It's the eerie

the bustle of pack life? The

20:21

263 Ava: The Compound

routines that should animate a community? Instead, a group of wolves emerges to meet us, their

weapons.

I know. This is

door before Marcus can fully engage the parking brake. My eyes scan the gathered faces, searching desperately for anyone

"Kellan!"

tumbling from my lips. before I can even catch my

"Ava, there's a lot we need to discuss before I can take you to him." My stomach

a hospital, but none of these cottages scream hospital to me. And

20:21

4/0

263

Ava: The Compound

into a

Kellan confirms, but his tone does

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

complicated."

scream in frustration. Complicated doesn't begin to cover the chaos we've been through. I need to see Lucas, to touch him,

Another wolf-it takes me a

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

noticing the absence of Vanessa's mate

tightens almost imperceptibly. "Come with me," he says, guiding me towards a small cabin set apart from the others. It looks more like a

a different direction by Ryder. The separation makes my skin prickle, and I

20:21

570

263 Ava, The Compound

been with me for so long. Being

is weird.

we approach the

the doorknob. "Ava, I need you to understand that

"Protect us from what?"

eyes meet mine, and the weight

that want to tear us apart. Both from outside...

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