Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 346 Ava: Ivy's Help

The chill that floods the tent emanates from Lucas. For his enemy to have control of his pack lands is a

neverending thorn in his side. But he doesn't show his frustration.

"That's not like them," he says calmly. "There's something going on there."

I nod in agreement. Their silence is more unnerving than any overt threat.

From a worldwide apocalypse to sudden silence—it's strange. And then there are the hunters, always trying to

find lone supernaturals struggling in this new world. We still don't know what they're trying to do, but we've

saved a few from their clutches.

"We did cacross a small group of rogues," Ivy chimes in, drawing everyone's attention. "They seemed... off.

More aggressive than usual."

"Off how?" Lucas presses.

Ivy shrugs, her eyes darting tofor a moment before focusing back on Lucas. "It's hard to explain. They were

just... different. Wilder, somehow. We managed to avoid a confrontation, but it was close.

They were not friendly."

"How far out was this?"

"Two days' run. They were traveling in the opposite direction."

The tent flap rustles again, and Lucas glances up as Kellan enters. The beta greets Ethan with a quick one-armed

embrace and a hearty smack of his shoulder. "Welcback."

A warm smile spreads across Ethan's face. "Good to be back, Beta."

"I got your refugees all set up in the outer tents," Kellan tells him. "They'll be safe now."

A frown tugs at the corners of my mate's mouth. "Make sure they're warm and comfortable," he says unhappily.

He hates having the refugees in tents, but we just don't have the space. "And see that they have enough to eat.

We can't afford to have anyone falling ill in this weather."

I'm already mentally cataloging our supplies and wondering if we'll need to send out another hunting party soon.

The influx of refugees has put a strain on our resources, but we've managed so far. Still, it's a constant balancing

act.

"I can help settle them in," Ivy offers. My teeth clench involuntarily at her words.

Lucas' eyes flick to me, then back to Ivy, though his eyes look over her head instead of at her face. "Ava will

handle it," he says firmly. "She's the Luna, after all."

| can't help but feel a surge of satisfaction at his words, even as | notice the flash of irritation in Ivy's eyes. It's

petty, | know, but it's been months of subtle dig after dig, and less subtle attempts at underminingor taking

over things I'm responsible for.

It always feels good to have Lucas publicly affirm my position.

"Thanks for volunteering, Ivy," | say, injecting as much warmth into my voice as | can muster. "But I've got it

handled."

Her smile doesn't quite reach her glittering green eyes. "Of course," she says. "Well, | should go check in on my

pack mates. It's been a long journey."

"Good idea," | agree, eager to be rid of her presence. "I'll head out to the refugee tents now."

We both exit the tent, the frigid air hitting us in an instant. Selene trots out behind me, her tail held high as she

surveys our surroundings.

"So, Ava," Ivy says as we walk, her breath forming small clouds in the cold air. "How have things been going?

Running a pack this size can't be easy."

| paste on my brightest smile. "Things are going great, actually. We've had our challenges, of course, but

everyone's really ctogether. It's amazing to see."

Ivy nods, her expression unreadable. "Being Luna is hard work," she says, her tone almost patronizing. "You

know, if you ever feel overwhelmed, you can always ask for help. I'd be more than happy to lend a hand."

The offer sounds sincere enough, but there's something in her eyes that sets my teeth on edge. It's the same

look she always gives me—Ilike she's assessingand findingwanting.

There's a huge difference between how she treatedin Aspen and how she treatshere. In Aspen, she was

the magnanimous high-ranking wolf taking care of her brother's pet lover. Here? She's a guest in my pack.

Her true colors are easier to see.

"Thanks, Ivy," | say, keeping my tone light. "I appreciate that. But we've got a great team here. Everyone pitches

in where they can."

She looks atfor a long moment, that odd expression still on her face. Then she shakes her head slightly. "So

be it," she says, her voice neutral. "Well, I'd better go find my people. Take care, Ava."

| watch her retreating back, unable to keep the grimace off my face once she's out of sight. Beside me, Selene

lets out a low growl and kicks ssnow in Ivy's direction with her back paw.

"Play nice," | mutter, even though | want her to do it again. "lvy has a lot of support in the pack. We can't afford

to alienate her or her people."

She started it, Selene grumbles in my mind. | don't understand what her goal is. You have plenty of support in

the pack too, you know.

I sigh, reaching down to scratch behind Selene's ears. "I know," | say softly. "But Ivy's been doing this a lot longer

than | have. She knows how to play the game. And right now, we need all the allies we can get."

Selene huffs, clearly unconvinced. She's up to something. | can smell it.

"Maybe," | concede. "But there isn't much she can do. She might want him, but he's not falling for it. So we just

need to ignore her. Con, let's go check on those refugees."

As we make our way towards the outer tents, | can't shake the unsettled feeling Ivy's presence always leaves me

with.

The wind picks up, sending a fresh flurry of snow swirling around us. I pull my coat tighter aroundas Selene

jumps through the snow, darting back and forth joyously as | trudge my way through.

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