Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 201 Ava: Steve (II)

Steve taps her pen against her lips as the kid from the reception desk leans in to whisper something in her ear. |

can't make out the words, but whatever he says makes Steve's eyebrows shoot up.

She nods slowly, her gaze flicking back towith renewed intensity.

Shifting uncomfortably in my chair, I glance at Kellan. What | want is reassurance, but instead | notice the tense

set of his jaw, the new wrinkles around the corners of his eyes, and a slight tic in his cheek.

It's a subtle tell, but one | recognize. He's on edge.

And that's when it hits me. Kellan may be willing to work with these people, but that doesn't mean he trusts

them. It doesn't mean they're on our side.

Who are these strange, unsettling children?

| swallow hard, my mouth gone dry. Kellan's tension is contagious, seeping into my own muscles, coiling them

tight.

What's going on, Ava?

Selene's mental voice is too soft, probably from the distance between us.

Things are weird here, Selene.

| don't feel like we're in danger, but there's definitely something that leavesunsettled, with chills rushing

down my back and arms.

Her worry carries through the bond between us. Be careful, Ava.

Straightening in my chair, | take a deep breath. Then another. If Kellan broughthere, there's a reason for it.

Lucas trusts him. I do, too.

My attention snaps back to Steve as she asksa question.

"How long have you been in contact with the Fae, Ava?"

"Fae?"

Thrown off-balance by her bizarre question, | turn to Kellan, whose jaw tightens even further, then back to Steve.

The pink-haired girl leans forward, elbows propped on the desk as she peers into my eyes with unsettling

intensity. A wave of dizziness washes over me, and | fight the urge to retch.

"I've never had any contact with the Fae," | manage, averting my gaze. The nausea subsides almost

immediately.

Steve's expression remains skeptical. "Only Fae magic could interfere with a wolf's hearing like that."

Glancing back, the nausea returns at eye contact, and | look away again. "I swear, I've never interacted with any

Fae."

After a long moment, Steve sits back. "Alright, I'll take your denial at face value. For now."

Kellan clears his throat. "Can you look into the call? Find out where it cfrom?"

Steve shrugs, her demeanor nonchalant. "I can try, but no guarantees."

Kellan extends his hand towards me, and | blink, realizing belatedly that he wants my phone. After fumbling in

my pocket, | retrieve it and place it into his palm, watching as he passes it to Steve.

She arches an eyebrow.

"I don't need the actual phone to check the call," she says, her tone almost amused.

Heat rises to my cheeks as embarrassment mingles with the lingering nausea. Once prompted, | mumble my

phone number, watching as Steve's fingers fly across the keyboard. The room falls silent save for the clacking of

keys.

Minutes crawl by, and my skin itches from waiting.

Shifting to sit more comfortably on the chair, my head twinges, a dull ache settling behind my eyes.

"Got it," Steve announces, shattering the silence. "The call cfrom the general area of Dakota Sanctuary."

Kellan and | exchange a confused glance, but Steve continues before we can question her.

"Your lot prefers 'Unregistered city," | believe."

The nsends a chill down my spine. Dakota Sanctuary. It sounds almost mystical, a far cry from the ominous

reputation of the Unregistered city.

"You're sure?" Kellan asks, leaning forward.

Steve nods. "As sure as | can be. It's hard, though. That area is a dead zone for most technology to access.

Intentionally so."

"Thank you," | say to Steve, my gratitude genuine despite my unease. "For your help."

She waves a dismissive hand. "Don't mention it. Seriously, don't. | have a reputation to maintain."

A bark of laughter escapes Kellan, and even | manage a weak smile. In this world of wolves and magic, it seems

even children have images to uphold.

We take our leave, stepping out into the harsh glare of daylight. The warehouse seems even more derelict after

the bright ambience of the basement office.

"Why did you bring us here?" | ask Kellan as he slides into the driver's seat of our SUV.

"I wanted to make sure the caller was really from the city. We now have a tangible link to the city. This gives

Lucas a little traction with the Council." He glances atwith a frown. "Buckle up. Have you called him?"

"Not yet. | tried last night and this morning, but no answer."

"He won't risk bringing attention to you." Pulling out of the dilapidated parking lot, he checks his phone for a

second before setting it in the console between us. "Text him for me. Tell him that he needs to callif he can't

call you."

"If he can call you, why wouldn't he call me?" Vague irritation stirs in my belly, but it's doused with his response.

"They can hear you over the phone. He doesn't want anyone questioning your existence or looking into you."

Right.

Because there's enough trouble after me.

[AVA: Kellan needs you to call him, if you can't call me.]

[AVA: Also, | miss you. | know you're busy. Callwhen you can.]

[AVA: And get ssleep and make sure you're eating.]

Leaving my phone on our conversation screen, | wait, but after a minute there's still no indication of him reading

the messages.

"Don't be upset," Kellan says, glancing in my direction as he drives. "Council meetings can usually go for days as

they all argue over stupid details. An emergency Council meeting like this is only going to be worse."

| shake my head as | turn off my display. "I'm not upset."

His silence sounds doubtful, which probably makes no sense, but it does.

"I'm really not upset. Lucas is the alpha. There are a lot of responsibilities that cwith his position. I just don't

want him to worry." With all the secrets I've held from him before, I'm surprised he letsout of his sight at all.

He tends toward overbearing, only backing off when | complain.

"That's good, then."