Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 442: Ava: Strange New Addition Wolf shifter men are, as a standard, larger and broader than human average. Six of them in a single minivan will certainly overpower it, but that's how they've managed to limp their way home-with a strange new addition.

"You said they were bringing a captive, not a child," I mutter to Vanessa, who seems unsurprised by the young girl's presence.

"Yes, well, age doesn't determine threat level." Vanessa's words fade into background noise as Lucas emerges.

My heart stutters. His golden eyes lock onto mine, and my world narrows to the space between us. One stride. Two. Three. His arms wrap around me, crushingagainst the solid wall of his chest. The familiar scent of amber and campfire smoke floods my senses.

"You're safe." His voice rumbles through me. "When I couldn't reach you—" "I know." My fingers curl into his shirt. Every muscle in my body unwinds, releasing tension I hadn't realized I'd been carrying. "I was worried, too." Over Lucas's shoulder, I watch Kellan and Vester exchange a warrior's greeting-forearms clasped before Vester yanks Kellan into a quick, rough embrace. The small Fae girl between them looks even tinier, her purple hair a stark contrast against the snow. Her chains jingle as she shifts from foot to foot.

As much as I want to revel in Lucas' return, I can't ignore her.

"What are you planning to do with her?" The girl can't be more than thirteen, and something about her remindsof myself at that age-lost, uncertain, trying to appear braver than I feel. Maybe I'm projecting.

Lucas's arms tighten fractionally. "She has information about the New Order. And about Jericho. I missed you." The warmth of his love clashes with the ice chill of worry in my veins. I haven't seen the old man, but I'm still hoping for good news. "Jericho? Did you find him?" "No." His jaw clenches against my temple. "But we found what they left behind." The girl's eyes dart between faces, her brows pulled together as her entire body trembles. Her fingers toy with one of the chains running from her shoulder to her belt-not restraints, I realize, but ssort of fashion statement.

"She cto us," Lucas continues. "Claims she was trying to help evacuate Jericho's group, but something went wrong. It was strange-we'll talk privately." "She's Fae, isn't she? I think we should have Magister Orion and his people watch her." As he nuzzles his face into my neck, breathing in deep near the mate mark over my crescent scar, I frown in the direction of the girl. Her shoulders hunch as Kellan approaches her. Despite his gentle expression, she takes a step backward, chains clinking softly.

"I won't hurt you," Kellan says, his voice pitched low and soothing. "We just need to get you somewhere warm and safe while we sort this out." "Lucas." I touch his arm. "She's scared." His muscles flex under my fingers. "She should be. The things we found..." He shakes his head. "But we'll treat her fairly. We should be on the sside, but we don't have enough information to be certain. She could be lying, too." The last part comes out as a quiet rumble meant for my ears alone. I watch as Kellan and Vester escort the girl further into Wolf's Landing, their broad frames making her appear even smaller between them.

"You look exhausted." Lucas' thumb traces the shadows beneath my eyes. "What happened here? I heard sof it, but..." I sigh. There's so much to explain. "I want to drag you hand never leave bed for a couple days—" His eyes light up. "I like this idea." "-but," I continue firmly, wiggling out of his arms, "there's too much to talk about. They told you about the Magister, right?" "Yes." "Tell Kellan to bring her to the Magister. Maybe she'll open up to him. It doesn't look like the Fae trust wolf shifters easily." Lucas squints after his beta; his face goes blank for a moment as I talk. Then, he's back. "Considering the nature of our relationship with the Unregistered City, that isn't surprising." It's been a long tsince I've thought of Dakota Sanctuary as the Unregistered City; I've forgotten how many scouts have lost their lives trying to learn more about it. The history between Fae and wolf shifters is strange.

"Isn't it odd that the other supernaturals are so interconnected, but only our wolf packs have been segregated?" I ask, as Lucas finally walks with me. Not in the direction of our cabin, but toward the debriefing tent.

"Is it odd?" He scratches at his chin. "I suppose it is. Fae and vampires aren't often seen even in the Registered Communities. They have no interest in working with a human government." "I didn't even know they were real until Sister Miriam," I point out with a frown. "That's just weird. Not even the humans talked about them. And now they're taking over the world, and shifters are on the wrong side. It's strange." "The other supernaturals have always been strange," Lucas agrees with a sigh. "But the Registered Communities here are usually filled with non-wolf shifters, half-breeds, and rogue wolves. There are many other types of supernaturals—we've heard Japan has a large population of fox shifters, for example, but we have little information on them. There are also selkies and sylphs, even sprites, but from what I hear, they're nearly extinct." "Hmm." These are questions I should have asked long ago, but history lessons weren't a priority of mine. It's been go-go-go and survival every step of the way. No wonder I'm always exhausted.

I lean into Lucas' arm, savoring his warmth as his fingers intertwine with mine. "The relationships between supernaturals are such a mess. Everyone's fighting each other, but we should be working together." "The communities were never designed for integration. They were always a way to keep supernaturals contained and the world at peace."

I frown, thinking over his words. It makes sense; it isn't as if supernaturals are well-integrated into the daily life of humans. I'd always ex assumed we live in pack territory because we need other wolves around us, but... is that ultimately why? "If you look at it that way, it's not surprising a faction has cto rebel against the shackles binding supernatural existence in this world." His brow twitches. "You're saying sdangerous words, Ava." "I'm not saying they're in the right. I'm just saying-it makes sense it happened. Even you consider humans objectively weaker, right? If they're looking at the genetically weak oppressing who they consider to be the strong..."

Lucas presses his fingers against his temple, a weary sigh escaping. "Yes. That's a common argungent from the Unregistered communities. They believe humans have no right to control supernatural beings, and refuse to work with the human government." My stomach twists at his words. "So, everything that's happened is ultimately simple. They're not going to stop until supernaturals are in charge of the world. They don't want to be under the thumb of humans anymore." "They're working with humans now. That's what makes this strange. All the attacks stopped, and they've gone quiet."

"But they're in power, using a human puppet..." Still, he's right. Their attacks worked. The world was in chaos for a long time. It's not strange to call this world post-apocalyptic, though it isn't the kind you'd see in movies. We have running cities, food, and luxuries. Well, not in Wolf's Landing-but among the humans.

Why stop the attacks? They could have done so much more and taken decisive control over the entire world.

My head hurts. I never understood politics as it was when the world was at peace.