Tangled

Unshift 300

Unshift 300

300 Ava: Present Her as Luna

How could I have forgotten, even for a moment? Lucas has lost everything-his memories, his sense of self, even his wolf. And here he is, surrounded by unfamiliar faces, hearing whispers of betrayals by his own pack. The pack he can't remember. Can't hear.

My heart aches. How terrifying and isolating it must be, to wake up in a place you don't recognize, with people claiming to know you, to care for you, when you can't remember a single thing. The vulnerability, the constant state of wariness-it must have been exhausting.

I glance at Lucas, really seeing him now. The slight furrow between his brows, the tightness around his eyes, the way his muscles are coiled. He holds tension in every fiber of his body, carrying this burden alone, while I've been too caught up in my own emotions to understand what he's going through

No wonder he didn't react well to me coming around and telling him all about how we're mates. It's just noise at that point, isn't it?

I reach out, gently tapping his arm to get his attention. When he turns those intense golden eyes: on me, I lean in close, my lips nearly brushing his ear as I whisper, "Vanessa can be trusted. I trust her with my life."

I feel the change in him almost immediately. The tension in his muscles cases, just a fraction, but it's there. He doesn't relax completely-I doubt he's capable of that right now-but there's a subtle shift in his demeanor. Vanessa's eyes widen slightly, and I know she's sensed the change too. Her gaze flicks between

1. US.

"How are you feeling, Lucas?" Vanessa asks, her voice gentle and professional. "Any lingering pain or discomfort?"

Lucas shakes his head. "No pain. Fever's gone. His voice is gruff, but not cold.

She glances toward me. "The fever came from the proximity to your mate's heat. Now that the mating mark has been applied, it shouldn't be quite so extreme. We did evacuate all unmated males once we realized her heat was approaching..." Evacuate. Wow. It makes me sound like a natural disaster.

Though, thinking of how my heat had affected even Clayton... Okay. I get it.

"Thanks, Vanessa. Would have been nice to get a heads-up, though."

She hesitates. "A heads-up... on your own heat, Luna?"

For the first time, the title almost feels like it fits. Maybe it's the mating mark on my neck.

I didn't realize my heat was coming up again? I should have

the general gist of the

head, but lets my lie stand. "My apologies, Luna. However, as lovely as it is to see you, I'm here

voice has me sitting

flick toward Lucas, who inclines

order in his words is firm, sending a vague thrill

but there is a little unrest among the

reaction sends a ripple of concern through my body. I squeeze his hand,

position?" I ask, my voice steady despite

Alpha would present you as his Luna to the pack. It's a formal recognition of

filled with ceremony and celebration. But given the current state

it.

a Luna's ceremony is quite an elaborate event," Vanessa continues, echoing my thoughts. "However, given our circumstances, we believe a

wise."

worried words about potential alpha challenges echo in my memory. With Lucas still disconnected from his wolf...

level

set, tension visible in the lines around his eyes. He doesn't look pleased

danger," he says, his voice low and firm.

a target," Vanessa counters. "Everyone's aware she's your mate. This would be a great way to boost morale, and cement loyalty among the

needs to see strength in its leadership. And if I can provide that, even in some small way, Isn't it my duty to do so? Before Lucas can continue his objections, I squeeze his hand again and turn to Vanessa. "I think it's a great idea, I say, my

long avoiding responsibility. Putting my position in the pack in

Ava. Present

approve of me, to want me as their

no time for that

keep my

feel the

him to understand. I don't want

Somehow.