Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted

LUCAS

I watch Clayton take his first step into Ivy's cabin, guilt curdling in my abdomen. It isn't just from failing to keep his sister safe, but also other things.

My irritation over her presence. My frustration. How I avoided her as much as possible, not wanting to feed into her delusions about her future in Wolf's Landing. These are all dirty truths I'll take with me to my grave; Clayton doesn't need to know.

I remain outside the cabin, giving the Aspen Alpha the space he needs. The wind cuts through my jacket, but I barely feel it. My attention shifts toward movement across the compound—Lisa walking with five wolves flanking her. One in front, one on each side, two behind. A few more further back, because we aren't taking chances.

My eyes narrow. Her walk seems normal—no odd twitches or hesitation in her step. She doesn't appear to be in a trance, though dark circles under her eyes betray her exhaustion. Her shoulders are tense, but that's expected with the security detail hovering around her.

What's strange is her destination. Why is she heading toward Magister Orion's temporary quarters? The Fae aren't exactly welcoming to humans, and that area contains our "guest" as well.

I activate a link with one of her guards.

Where are you taking her?noveldrama

Luna Ava's orders, Alpha. She's being sent to the Fae Princess.

I give a slight nod. The explanation is reasonable; Ava trusts Lisa, and she has a light-hearted, gregarious attitude which might work better on Pip than the intimidation shifters specialize in.

Different perspectives might reveal more information.

I'll have to focus on the girl more, but things have gotten busier than normal. It's hard to keep all my duties balanced. Ava's come a long way as Luna since I first brought her to Westwood, but Kellan is the true force between the organization of our pack.

Still, his mission is important.

The cabin door slams shut behind me. Clayton's face is a perfect mask of neutrality as he walks down the steps. Anyone else would think he's completely composed, but I catch the faint tightness around his eyes, the subtle clench of his jaw. More telling is his scent—the bitter notes of rage cutting through his natural pine and ocean.

Aurum recognizes it immediately. Vengeance. He wants blood.

Of course he does. Wouldn't you?

Clayton's eyes meet mine, colder than I've ever seen them. Ivy was his only surviving family. "I want to see it now. The thing that took my sister."

His voice is unnervingly calm. I've seen this before in wolves who've lost packmates—the dangerous stillness before carnage.

I point toward Lisa's retreating form. "Ava's friend is heading there now. She's human. Her best friend."

He follows my gesture, watching Lisa and her guards disappear around a building.

"I'd prefer not to scare her," I clarify. "She's been through enough already."

The rigid set of his shoulders softens marginally. Even in grief, Clayton remembers his principles.

Maybe it's time for a little distraction. Take the edge off his grief and rage. "You hungry?" Food seems like an inadequate offering, but there isn't much else to invite a guest to do around here.

Wolf's Landing has all the comforts of home, except… well, luxuries. Like entertainment.

Clayton shakes his head with a heavy sigh. "No, thank you."

Well, the response isn't unexpected. "Would you rather stay with your people, or—"

"Let's talk." His voice is steadier now, but still taut. "Get a better feel for what you've been going through these past few months. The situation."

I nod. Communication's been rough, only getting better after cell service was restored. And now we're too paranoid to rely on it.

"We can go to the debriefing tent," I say, gesturing in its direction.

We walk in silence, our boots crunching through the snow. Clayton's not quite dressed for the weather, but he's probably fine. Still, I should probably make sure that Wes kid knows to give them an ample supply of firewood. They'll probably use more than those of us already acclimated to this weather.

Wolves across the compound snap to attention as we pass. The presence of two alphas in one territory always creates a certain tension, and it's a first for Wolf's Landing. Read ahead and get updates by visiting *.

"How is it up in Aspen?" I ask, attempting normal conversation. The silence is too heavy, even for me.

Clayton's jaw tightens as he glances around. "Strange." The word comes out clipped.

I slow my pace slightly, studying his profile. His eyes dart toward a cluster of wolves watching, then back to the path ahead.

"Something you don't want overheard?"

He gives a nearly imperceptible nod.

"You're in luck," I say, steering us toward the large tent set slightly apart from the others. "Our debriefing tent is warded."

Clayton blinks, genuine surprise crossing his features. "Warded? A tent?"

I can't help the small smile that tugs at my lips despite our grim situation. "Yeah. Welcome to Ava's era, Shadowpine."

Clayton's pack, like Westwood, has maintained much of the old ways. Aspen territory also relies on ancient boundary wards. The idea of temporary, portable wards is probably alien to him.

We approach the tent, and I hold the flap open. "After you."

Clayton steps inside, immediately assessing the space. It isn't much. A few folding tables. Chairs. A lot of papers, though Kellan cleaned it recently—mainly because he didn't trust us not to keep sensitive information out for anyone to come in and see at their leisure. He has a point. While there are usually guards over the tent, it's still better to be safe, especially with a vampire lurking near our land.

I follow him in, letting the tent flap close behind us. The air inside feels different—slightly pressurized, with a faint electrical charge. Just enough to tickle the nose if you're paying attention.

There's a small stone on the ground. It looks similar to the wardstone the old gnome had given Ava, but this one's a little bigger, and has some strange lines painted on it. Ava's used it to create a barrier of silence, mimicking the properties of her wardstone. Of course, this one isn't portable, but we don't need it to be.

I head to the small coffee station Elverly put together, courtesy of a long extension cord across camp. Probably a fire hazard, but nothing bad has happened yet. "Coffee? It's not great, but it's hot."

"How does it work?" Clayton asks, ignoring my offer as he traces his fingers just shy of the canvas wall. Looks like he can feel the subtle change in the air.

I pour myself a cup of the burnt-smelling coffee. "Ava and the Fae set them up. Sound doesn't travel in or out." I take a sip, grimacing at the taste. "And no one can eavesdrop magically either."

Clayton turns toward me, his expression somewhere between impressed and troubled. "Tell me more about these Fae."