Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted novel Chapter 341

"Ava."

The sound of my name has me sitting up immediately, even before my eyes open. "What’s wrong?"

"Nothing’s wrong. Calm down." Lucas pulls me into his arms, and I wrap my arms around his waist as I blink in the dim light, trying to wake my sleepy brain.

"We’ve made contact with a group of wolves at the border," he says, making my heart skip a beat again. I’ve been asleep most of the past two days. Grimoire said my body needed to recuperate after such a large draw of power.

This is my first time hearing anyone was even near the perimeter of our pack.

"And?" Since Lucas is calm, I know it can’t be bad.

"They’re from Aspen," he says, confirming my thoughts. "While they haven’t been hit as hard as us, they’ve sent out scouting packs to make contact with us and others."

"How did they find us?" Despite knowing this group isn’t a danger to our safety, that detail makes me nervous.

"Clayton already knows about this place. He has a safe haven of his own near the coast."

"Oh."

Lucas’ voice is steady as he continues, "The leader of these scouts specifically asked for your presence."

"What? Why didn’t you lead with that?"

Attempting to jump out of his arms doesn’t go well. He tightens his hold, keeping me in place. "Calm down, Ava. There’s no rush. Get dressed first."

As I scramble for clothes, my thoughts are a jumbled mess. Aspen wolves. Here. Asking for me. But who would ask for me?

Only Clayton would. Maybe Rowan? But Lucas would have named either of them, I’m pretty sure.

"How many?" I ask, pulling on a pair of jeans.

"A small group," Lucas replies. He’s already dressed, leaning against the wall as he watches me. "Ten."

Very small. Not enough to even make up for our losses a few nights ago during the vampire attack. But the thought of connecting with another pack boosts my spirits. We need allies in order to move forward. We need to hear more about the world outside of our small area.

Once I’m dressed and ready, complete with a cup of coffee, Lucas guides me to the planning room, his hand resting against the small of my back.

The scent of unfamiliar wolves hits me immediately. My sense of smell lately has been stronger since the attack, though most of it is a muddled mess to my nose. Lucas, Selene, and Lisa are the only three I can recognize with my eyes closed. Everyone else is a mix of scents I can’t quite pull apart.

Clayton’s sister approaches with measured, graceful steps, opening her arms as she calls my name. "Ava." _{ƒгeeweɓn૦vel.com}

When she speaks again, there’s a strange inflection in her voice, an undercurrent I can’t put my finger on. It isn’t really friendly, but I can’t quite say it’s unfriendly, either.

"I heard you’re Luna here now."

"Yes, I am." My shoulders straighten as I respond, pulling myself as tall as I can stand.

Ivy’s eyes narrow slightly, assessing me. "Interesting," she murmurs. "It’s good to see you doing so well, Ava."

The tension in the room ratchets up a notch. I’m acutely aware of the other Aspen wolves watching our exchange, but I’m at a loss on why it feels as though I’m dancing some strange political line every time Ivy speaks.

Then, she smiles, and it’s as friendly and warm as you’d expect from a close ally, as if my strange emotions are nothing more than fanciful thinking. "I’m so happy you guys are here and doing so well. Our alpha was quite concerned about all of you."

Her eyes flicker to Lucas at the last sentence, as if trying to gauge his response to Clayton’s concern. Or is it just paranoia, after all?

I wouldn’t be so certain, Selene opines, sounding thoughtful. She seems to have something against you. Maybe she’s upset you didn’t mate her brother, after all.

But even Selene sounds doubtful. Ivy hadn’t seemed particularly interested in me as a potential sister-in-law back then. You’d think she’d be ecstatic to hear I’m mated to someone else now, leaving her precious brother free and clear of my influence.