Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted novel Chapter 91

91 Ava Clearing the Air (0)

91 Ava: Clearing the Air (I)

All my thoughts circle into some sort of insane melodrama right out of Selene’s favorite TV show, and I slap my hands against my face, rubbing hard against my cheeks, as though I can push the tears right back into my eyes.

“Sorry,” I say, as Lucas rests a worried hand against my back, stroking me like you would pet a puppy. It’s cute.

He doesn’t seem to know what to do with me, while

I’m just grateful that he’s trying.

Once I’m sure my tears are gone, I smile up at him. “I’m just frazzled.”

“You’ve been through a lot. Did I upset you when I took -the phone call?”

“No!” The word bursts from me in horror. Does he

think I’m that kind of person, who gets upset when he has to do important things instead of watching me sit in a hospital bed? “Not at all.”

He blows out a breath in what I’m sure is massive relief. No one wants a mate that high maintenance. “Are you upset that I have to leave?”

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91 Ava: Clearing the Air (1)

I cringe. “It isn’t that.” I just came to some insane levels of assumptions. “Why… do you have to go?”

“Ah.” Now he looks uncomfortable, and takes a seat on my bed, grabbing my hand.

Oh, God. This can’t be good.

“Once we were safe, Kellan–my beta–led a force of my men into the heart of the Blackwood pack.” I must not look devastated enough, because he clarifies, “In

an act of war.”

Since he seems to want some sort of input from me, I nod to show that I’m following.

“Unfortunately, in the chaos, your family and Alpha Renard escaped, but the territory is under our control.”

I nod again.

“We took over your pack,” he says, as if I’m not understanding.

“I heard you.” I tilt my head. “I don’t care what happens to them.” Too bad all the important people escaped.

“Your mother is in the hospital. She’s in critical condition due to the wolfsbane I injected her with.”

91 Ava: Clearing the Air (1)

I think I’m probably supposed to feel a lot of things right now. Like sadness, anxiety, worry, or other emotions that would be applicable to a good daughter.

Instead, there’s a huge demon of vengeance in my soul that is happy at his words.

“Oh,” I say, because I don’t want to show my possible future mate that I’m a raging psychopath. He’s treating me so carefully as he tells me all these things, and not a single one has me fazed.

Lucas reaches for my hand, sliding his rough fingers between mine. He must think I need comfort, and I’m not sure how to break it to him.

“I have to go because there’s a lot of work to be done. We are working on disavowing every wolf from the Blackwood Pack and integrating them into ours, or letting them go as rogues. I’ll be back every few days. Right now, another alpha is helping me keep things in control over there, but I can’t just let other people do my work for me, even if I want to stay here.”

He looks agonized, and I don’t resist the urge to reach out and rub the lines on his brow. “You’ll do great,” I assure him. “But before you go, I have to tell you

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91 Ava: Clearing the Air (1)

something.”

My stomach twists. The “other alpha” must be Clayton; that’s why he called. Maybe Clayton doesn’t realize

who I am yet, but they’ll figure it out soon. I have to head this off before he goes.

Lucas checks his watch. “I only have a few minutes. There’s a flight tonight that I have to make.”

“A few minutes is all I need. I just need you to promise to listen without getting too upset.”

01 Ava: Clearing the Air (1)

91 Ava: Clearing the Air (1)