Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 345 Ava: Winter in Wolf's Landing

Blowing on my hands in a futile effort to bring warmth back to my numb fingers, | squint across the vast expanse

of snow at a group of wolves coming in. "Is that Vester's group?"

No. Ethan's. Selene rests her furry head against my leg, panting after her playful romps through a few snow

drifts. She's very much in her element in this weather, and I've had more than one mother cto me

complaining that their pups have all been following Selene around the compound to play in the snow all day.

It wouldn't be a problem, they stress—repeatedly—if they were old enough to shift. But they're not, and it's cold,

and they're obsessed with the only dog they've ever seen.

Wolves aren't nearly as cool as a husky, apparently.

| can see two kids right now, peeking around a truck like we can't see them. They're whispering to each other

and pointing in Selene's direction.

Did | mention that their favorite gis pelt-the-husky-with-snowballs? Yeah. That's a thing now.

When Selene catches them out of the air, they always fall over laughing.

I should go tell them to go home, but I've been there and done that. Repeatedly.

They keep coming back within minutes, giggling from whatever abysmal hiding spot they've found this time.

Selene's the most popular person in camp among their age group.

Even their mothers have given up, especially when other young wolves would shift and play in the snow, too.

Unlike in our traditional pack lands, we don't have miles of land to roam and keep our inner wolves happy. We're

holed up in this relatively tiny area, and our numbers keep growing.

Oh, yes. More and more refugees have arrived. Srogue. Sfrom allied packs. And even swho had

been presumed lost from our own packs.

We have groups now who spend weeks at a ttraversing the country, bringing back news and people.

Wolf's Landing has grown, even in this harsh weather.

As the wolves draw near, | finally recognize Ethan's wolf form and raise my hand in a welcoming wave.

My smile falters when | spot Ivy trailing behind him.

Great. Just what | need today.

Ivy's popular among the wolves. As a strong she-wolf, she's done a lot for the compound. As an ally, she's great.

But no matter what, | can't seem to get along with her. Around everyone else, she's a warm and inviting leader

of the Aspen Pack. Around me?

Things are a little different.

It's like she always seesas lacking, and that she should be the Luna here. Lucas knows how | feel about her,

but doesn't see what I do.

The best weeks are when she's out scouting with the men, even though that only gives her even more bonus

points among my own pack members.

We make our way to the main debriefing tent, a far cry from the cozy cabin we once used. The refugees needed

it more than we did, so here we are, huddled in canvas walls that barely keep out the biting wind.

Ethan and Ivy shift, quickly donning warm clothes while | busy myself with the wood stove. The tent's not exactly

toasty, but at least it's a reprieve from the relentless cold outside. As | add another log, the fire crackles to life,

casting flickering shadows across the canvas walls.

"Thanks, Ava," Ivy says, her voice syrupy sweet. | nod, not trusting myself to speak without a hint of sarcasm.

The tent flap rustles, and Lucas strides in, his presence filling the space instantly. He makes a beeline for Ethan,

greeting him with a bear hug and a hearty slap on the back. "Great job out there," Lucas says, his voice warm

with pride. "You deserve to stay hand relax for a while."

Ethan shakes his head, a wry smile playing on his lips. "There's too much going on to rest, Alpha."

| can't help but frown at his words. "You should take a break, Ethan. Relax once in a while."

He turns to me, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "Traveling relaxesmore than sitting in one place, Luna.

But | appreciate the concern."

Before I can respond, Ivy's voice cuts through the air. "Lucas!" She greets him with a warm smile that makes my

stomach churn. | grit my teeth, forcing down the surge of irritation that threatens to bubble up.

Lucas returns her greeting, his tone friendly but neutral. | watch as Ivy moves in for a hug, her arms

outstretched. But Lucas smoothly sidesteps her, turning towardsas if that was his intention all along. His arm

slides over my shoulders, pullingclose to his side.

The warmth of his body seeps into mine, and | can't help but lean into him. A smile tugs at the corners of my

mouth.

Stop looking so smug, Selene says.

I glance down at her, sprawled out near the wood stove, panting. You can stop radiating your own smugness,

then, | retort.

Selene's tail thumps against the ground, her canine grin unmistakable. She's enjoying this as much as | am.

"So, what news do you bring?" Lucas asks, his attention focused on Ethan. Ivy takes the subtle rejection in stride

and stands beside her mission partner.

The scout's expression grows serious. "We've picked up schatter about increased vampire activity to the

south. Nothing concrete yet, but it's concerning. Humans seem to have grown complacent since the attacks

ceased, but the government is definitely keeping an eye out. They're just downplaying it."

Lucas' arm tightens around me, the only outward sign of his tension.

"Any word on Blackwood?" | ask, unable to keep the tremor from my voice. Even after all this time, the thought

of Renard and my father fillwith fear. I'm positive Lucas is more powerful than them combined, but—it's

hard.

Vanessa says it's my trauma and | need to work through it, but... Well, being Luna keepsbusy, and the idea

of spilling my guts to a stranger who specializes in tearing apart my every decision and motive is not appealing.

Ethan shakes his head. "Nothing new. They're still keeping a low profile. Beta Grey is still reported to be in

Westwood."

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