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Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted novel Chapter 328

328 Ava: Scouting Parties 

Vester and Vanessa pore over a map unfurled on my dining table. Our ward stone of silence has gotten a lot of good use here, keeping everything private

This is the city they went to, right?Vanessa asks, tapping her finger against the thick parchment

Yes. It’s not as large as this one,and Vester taps at a city sixty miles away, but it’s a little 

arther, to throw off anyone searching for us.” 

The healer nods thoughtfully. There are three main interstate highways branching off here, so it’s a good choice. It’s likely that the others went down this highway. It’ll add another hour to their drive back, but should throw off anyone in pursuit, as well. If we send some scouts this way, they might be able to pick them up.” 

My thought as well,” her mate agrees. But we will have to emphasize stealth. If there are groups searching for supernaturals, they would be able to pick up their scent.” 

Awkwardly, I lean forward to interrupt their conversation. What about scent blockers? Can’t we use those?” 

We can,Vanessa says with a wry smile. But we don’t have many, and have no way to replenish 

our stock. It is better to conserve those for emergencies.” 

So, our scouts are also possibly leading any intruders straight to us?” 

Vester’s eyes meet mine, a hint of amusement dancing in their depths. Of course not.” 

His words are reassuring, but a flicker of embarrassment flushes my cheeks. I never once questioned scouts in pack lands. They’ve been around all my life. Now that I’m here and worried about my people, I realize how little I understand

There’s so much to learn

But there’s too much at stake for me to wallow in selfdoubt

Our scouts are highly trained,Vester continues, his voice taking on a patient, instructional tone. They don’t simply run straight lines from point A to point B. They employ a variety of techniques to muddy their tracks.” 

Motioning me closer, he gestures to the map, using a finger to mimic what he’s talking about. False starts, backtracking, twisting patternsthere are a variety of ways to confuse and misdirect any potential pursuers.” 

Vanessa nods, adding, It’s not just about physical movement either. They use natural elements to their advantagestreams, rocky outcroppings, dense foliage. Anything that can disrupt or mask their scent. In pack lands, our scent is everywhere, in a wide radius. It’s impossible to track down the den by scent alone. You’ll have to search every square inch of miles upon miles to find the heart of the pack, even if you knew we were in the general area.” 

Sometimes,Vester continues, his finger tracing an intricate pattern on the map, they’ll even split up. creating multiple false trails before reconvening at a predetermined location. It’s

Ava Accuting Parties 

wes 

constant dance of deception. Now, here, where we are, we have limited our radius to avoid exposure. Once you catch our scent, we are easier to find. But you have to know that we are in this small of an area in order to find us. And this town isn’t even on any map. It’s just a private 

commune, on private land.” 

Their explanations make a lot of sense. And we’re branching out. So, that makes us more likely 

to be found” 

Yes. But our scouts will work in antireconnaissance in order to confuse any potential pursuers

the worst case scenario, when someone catches their scent, they will have to throw them farther off the trail in different directions. At that point, we cannot have a relay in order to remain in touch with our wolves. They’ll be on their own out there until they make it back 

home.” 

I try to picture it in my mindwolves darting through the wilderness, weaving an invisible tapestry of misdirection. It’s both impressive and slightly dizzying

But doesn’t that slow them down?I ask, genuinely curious. All that extra movement?” 

Vester nods, acknowledging my point. It does. But the tradeoff in security is worth it. Better to arrive a bit later than to lead enemies straight to our doorstep.” 

How long does it take to train a scout?I ask, my mind already racing with possibilities. Could I learn these techniques? Would it help me protect the pack better

Vanessa answers this time, her expression thoughtful. It varies. Some wolves have a natural aptitude for it, while others take longer to master the intricacies. But generally, we’re looking at months, if not years, of intensive training.” 

Years. So, that’s not feasible after all

Don’t look so discouraged,” Vester says, clearly reading the doubt on my face. You learn quicker than you think. And you bring other strengths to the table.” 

Thanks.But the weight of my inexperience is still frustrating. Glancing at Grimoire, who’s once again in his book form, I wish I could just take all his knowledge and shove it into my mind in

usable format

Technically, that’s what our bond is

Yeah, but not really. The knowledge is in his head, not mine. He just relays it to me. And it doesn’t come with understanding

You have yet to put our bond to work. We can work on some of your magic training later. I’ll show you how much help I can be

Selene’s mental scoff is loud and clear

Don’t doubt me, he warns her. I’m the most powerful item in Ava’s arsenal

I can shred you with one bite. You’re not as powerful as you think you are, she retorts

-Luna? Ava? Are you listening?” 

SorryShaking my head and imagining I’m shoving their faces out of my head, I blink in 

328 Ava. Scouting Parties 

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