Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 374 Lisa: Something's Wrong

Seeing Ava seems to have breathed life into my limbs again.

Our return is easier. Perhaps it's because we've already trampled a path in the snow, or maybe moose stew is

just that rejuvenating. Either way, I'm confident | won't be a complete mess by the twe return to Wolf's

Landing.

And if a part of my brain is thinking, good, | won't bring shto Kellan's status in the pack, well, I'm pretending

not to notice too much.

It's hard to be a human among wolves. Humans aren't as strong, aren't dialed into the pack bond, and just aren't

as respected as other wolves. Even refugees outside the pack find a place in Wolf's Landing. Jobs to do. Friends.

A circle of community that gives back.

Me? | have Ava. And Kellan. And the Grand Sage. Even Elverly's mostly lost to the daily cycle of feeding so many

people.

It isn't that I'm unhappy—shockingly, I'm pretty okay, outside of wanting to find my parents—but that I feel lost.

No one really knows what to do with me. Which is fair, because | don't know what to do with myself. I'm starting

to understand why Ava had such a hard tstanding on her own two feet and growing a sense of self-worth; it's

like floating in a sea on a piece of driftwood while everyone else plays happy dolphin family.

Does that make sense? Maybe it doesn't.

I've made a few friends, but it's all surface-level. It's not like before, which is probably because I'm now known as

the beta's mate. They all treata little differently now, which is why it's so nice to have Mira with us today. A

little bit of normal interaction in this crazy mess of a new life.

I'll get it figured out. | know | will.

In a good mood, well-fed, and with the sun rising high to help a little with the frigid temperatures, we stroll arm-

in-arm behind the other wolves, who help Kellan drag along the sled of moose meat.

Technically, | know he doesn't need that much help and could bring the moose back himself. He's strong enough.

But there always has to be an extra bunch of wolves around to keepsafe.

After being kidnapped by a crazy vampire, | have no problem with this idea. I just feel bad for the guys watching

over me. They're probably bored.

Then again, they get to see the weird shit the Grand Sage makesdo, so at least it's entertaining. Maybe.

But then my mind wanders to my captivity, and how people seem to think I've been through more trauma than |

did. It was terrible, yes. But | only saw the crazy vampire once. Now that I'm free, it honestly kind of feels like |

got off pretty lightly.

Shouldn't everything have been... | don't know. More traumatic? Maybe a couple missing limbs or something?

I've read enough books and movies to know I'm lucky not to be dead right now. Or creepily mind-enslaved like

Marisol...

"Something's wrong." Mira's mutter distractsfrom my random introspection, her arm tense against mine.

The shifters ahead of us freeze mid-step. Even from behind, | notice their bodies are as rigid as stone.

Kellan slows to a complete stop, glancing around.

"What's happening?" My hand slides to my wrist brace, cold against my skin, hidden beneath a few layers of

clothing. It won't be easy to access, but just knowing it's there makesfeel a little more secure if something

suddenly comes charging at us.

Unless it's sgiant monster eel that swims in snow, though, | don't know what we're looking for.

Mira shakes her head, her dark eyes scanning the trees. She doesn't know either. Of course. She's not part of

whatever mind-talking they're doing. She's from another pack.

Kellan's head snaps up, and a low growl rumbles from his chest. Whatever message he received through that

supernatural connection can't be good.

The other wolves move into a defensive formation around us without a word. My heart pounds against my ribs as

| recognize their practiced movements. This isn't just caution—this is preparation for trouble.

"Stay close to me," Mira whispers, pullingtight against her side. She knows it, too.

The silence in the forest feels different now. What I'd thought was peaceful winter stillness now seems charged

with tension, like the air before a storm. Even the wind through the pines sounds ominous.

My hands shake slightly as | wait for someone to explain what's happening.

The crunch of snow under paw becomes the only sound as the other wolves shift forms. Their clothes litter the

ground around the sled as they take up positions in a wider circle. Only Kellan and Mira remain human.

A branch snaps somewhere in the distance. | jump, but Mira's grip on my arm keepssteady.

"Kellan?" | hate how small my voice sounds, but damn it, I'm fucking terrified now, and no one's telling us what's

going on. "What is it?"

He doesn't answer immediately, still locked in whatever silent communication is happening through the pack

link. His jaw clenches as he scans the sparse trees in the area.

But there's nothing there.

I know I'm just human, but there's nothing out there. It's all snow. A few trees here and there. Shills | guess

someone could be hiding behind? But we can see everywhere.

The silence stretches, broken only by the soft padding of wolf paws in snow as our guards adjust their positions. |

want to ask more questions, but if Kellan isn't talking, it has to be for a good reason. Maybe he's still listening to

someone else.

Mira's sharply indrawn breath haslooking at her face, then following her gaze to something moving in the

snow.

Dark specks, quickly growing larger, coming down one of the small hills I'd mentioned.

The wind is coming from their direction, so it makes no sense when Mira whispers, "I can't smell them."

That... can't be good.

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