Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 18 Lucas: Realization (I)

LUCAS

The frost of winter thaws, giving way to the brisk air of spring. The days drag on, each moment blurring into the

next as my frustration builds. Weeks have passed since that fateful night at the Lunar Gala, and still, the

Blackwood Pack's intentions remain shrouded in mystery, even with summer peeking around the corner. My wolf

paces restlessly within me, yearning for answers, for action, for her.

My obsession grows.

I slam my fist on the desk, the impact reverberating through the room. Kellan, ever the loyal beta, barely

flinches. He knows better than to disturbwhen I'm like this, consumed by the need to unravel the web of

secrets that surrounds us.

A missive arrived last week from Alpha Blackwood, a terse notification that his beta's daughter, Jessa Grey,

would be attending the local university here in Granite City. The balls on that asshole, sending her into our

territory without so much as a proper request for permission.

It's an unspoken rule among our kind, a courtesy extended to the ruling pack when an outsider plans to stay

within their domain.

| can't help but wonder if this is another ploy, another move in the twisted gthat Blackwood seems intent on

playing. Jessa's presence here, so close to the heart of our pack, sets my teeth on edge. What secrets does she

carry? What lies will she spin to further her alpha's agenda?

My thoughts drift naturally to her, the girl who haunts my every waking moment. Ava. The memory of her scent,

her touch, the way she surrendered toin the garden—it's seared into my very being. And yet, my hatred

grows by the day.

| push myself away from the desk, pacing the length of my office like a caged beast. The cool air brought in by

an open window does little to soothe my restless spirit. | need answers.

"Kellan," | bark, my voice slicing through the silence. "I want eyes on Jessa Grey the moment she sets foot in

Granite City. | want to know her every move, every breath she takes. And if you find even a whisper of

information about her sister..."

I leave the sentence hanging, the implication clear. Kellan nods, his expression grim. He understands the gravity

of the situation, the weight that rests upon our shoulders.

The silence stretches between us as | once again contemplate the possible motives behind the Blackwood Pack's

actions, like we have a thousand times. But this time, | let my mind linger on Ava. On the garden. On that scent

that | can never forget and how there was something different about it all. My mind races, trying to piece

together the fragments of information we've gathered.

"What if they've developed skind of pheromone enhancer?" | muse aloud, my eyes focused on something

beyond the walls of this room. "A way to force a mate connection, to manipulate the bond between wolves."

Kellan frowns, shaking his head. "I don't know, Lucas. When | met Ava that night, | didn't sense anything unusual.

No hint of artificial pheromones or manipulation."

| scoff, turning to face him. "She probably applied it in the garden, knowing | was watching her. It's the perfect

setup, don't you see? Lurein, makebelieve there's a connection, and then use that to gain a foothold in

our pack."

Kellan hesitates, his brow furrowed in thought. "I suppose that's possible, but her relationship with her family

seemed strained. The way they interacted, the tension between them, wasn't faked. It didn't feel like a united

front."

| grimace. "Exactly. And that's why it's even more likely. Think about it, Kellan. If Ava's relationship with her

father is rocky, she'd be even more desperate to prove herself, to earn his approval. Sacrificing herself, using her

body as a tool to further their agenda...

it's exactly the kind of thing a desperate wolf would do."

Kellan's eyes widen. "I hadn't considered that angle. It does make a twisted sort of sense."

| turn away, my hands curling into fists at my sides. The thought of Ava being used in such a way, of her willing

participation in this deception, fuels the rage that warms my skin.

"We need to be prepared for anything," | growl, my voice low and dangerous. "The Blackwood Pack is up to

something. | won't let them destroy everything we've built, everything we stand for."

Kellan's expression is grim. "I know. We all do. We're behind you, Lucas. We'll keep a close eye on Jessa, and if we

find any evidence of foul play..."

"We'll show them what happens when they try to mess with the Westwood Pack." There's no other option.

| turn to face the window, my gaze sweeping over the city that is mine to protect. The Blackwood Pack may be

able to hold their secrets, but they have no idea who they're dealing with. I will uncover the truth, no matter the

cost.

* kK

A sharp knock at the door joltsawake, scattering the papers strewn across my desk. | blink, trying to clear

the fog of sleep from my mind as | realize | must have dozed off while poring over the latest reports from Granite

City.

"Cin," I call out, my voice rough.

The door swings open, revealing one of my deltas, Ryder Thorn. He enters the room, his posture stiff and his

expression guarded. | can sense his unease, the way he seems to be holding back.

"What is it?" | ask, straightening in my chair. No alpha should be caught sleeping on the job.

He clears his throat, his eyes flicking to the mess of documents on my desk before meeting my gaze. "One of our

scouts sent an update from Blackwood territory. | thought you'd want to see it immediately. It was sent to my e-

mail in urgency in a private attachment, printed, and sealed with no eyes upon the contents."

He handsa sealed envelope, the paper crisp beneath my fingers. I nod, setting it aside for the moment,

trying not to show how hard my heart is jolting in my chest. But before | can dismiss him, he speaks again, his

tone hesitant.

"Alpha, if I may... Do you really need to spend so much tand energy chasing down this girl from the

Blackwood Pack? Shouldn't we be focusing on our own pack, on the issues that directly affect us?"

Irritation hitsharder than it should. | have always refrained from dismissing sensible inquiries, because

shutting down their voices is a slippery slope to despotism. Like the Blackwood Pack. And yet, | can't help the

words that cout anyway. "Are you questioning my judgment, Delta?"

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