Filed to story: Tangled in Moonlight Unshifted Novel by Lenaleia
Lisa’s reply is equally stilted. “It’s okay.”
Their awkward exchange is so unnatural that I have to fake a cough to hide my amused smile. Despite the gravity of our situation, it’s almost comical to see them dance around each other like this.
His expression turns serious as he continues. “I was discussing recent events with Dr. Blackwell. The Westwood Pack is caught in the middle of an incredible war that will change our world.”
Everyone nods solemnly; there’s no surprise here.
Still, my stomach twists with anxiety as we put it into words.
He continues, “Dr. Blackwell has shed more light on the incident where Delta Ryder’s force was nearly obliterated after their first retreat. While he was not the only one to deal with a secondary attack, it was the worst of them. We lost all but fifteen of them.”
I notice Lisa stiffen at the mention of the incident. She did mention Ryder, she must be thinking of Mia and Chloe and their betrayal. Kellan places his hands on her shoulders, giving them a gentle squeeze.
“Two shifters have been confirmed as traitors,” Kellan explains to Marcus and Vanessa, his voice low and grim. “But more exist within the packs.”
Neither of them seem surprised; they must have already been briefed on the situation here. The healer just sighs, looking as though she’s aged ten years since I saw her earlier.
Marcus, on the other hand, turns his attention to Lisa. “Speaking of trust, I must question the human’s presence here.
My hackles rise immediately, and I can’t help but bristle at his regard of my best friend. I struggle to keep my expression neutral as everyone’s gaze flicks between Lisa and me.
Kellan watches me calmly, but I can see the veins in his arms popping from how tensely he’s
“Lisa is trustworthy, I state firmly, meeting Marcus’s eyes.
Marcus shakes his head. “Her trustworthiness isn’t the issue, but her status as an advisor is.”
I take a deep breath, trying to calm the frustration bubbling in my veins. “The number of people we can truly trust is already low. We shouldn’t alienate Lisa just because she’s human.”
Marcus inclines his head. “Understood, Luna:
Kellan regards me thoughtfully, his dark eyes hiding whatever thoughts are going on inside his head. As he continues, Lisa leans back against him. “As for the situation within the Westwood Pack since Lucas has been… incapacitated as alpha… He pauses, and I feel my heart clench at the mention of Lucas. “It’s been almost impossible to keep alpha challenges at bay. It’s only going to get worse now that Ava is here and he is still absent from his role:
Alpha challenges.
The blood drains from my face. Lucas is in no shape to be challenged. With his wolf gone, he’s as good as dead.
“Who wants to challenge him?” My fear takes a sharp left to anger. How dare they? After everything Lucas has done for his pack, after risking his life to save others… Now, he has to worry about alpha challenges?
Kellan meets my gaze, steady and calm. “Almost every wolf.”
Shit.
ried!
I’ve examined Alpha, Vanessa cuts in, sounding worried. “His healing rate is abysmal. It’s human rate. There are so many theories, the doctors are in knots. They think he’s cursed somehow, but no one knows if it’s even possible.
“It is possible,” Dr. Blackwell says, unperturbed as several eyes cut in his direction, including mine.
“What kind of curse? What does it entail?”
The old gnome shakes his frailseeming head. “I do not know such details. However, I am aware of curses befalling several of Lycan lineage in history, weakening their rule”
“What happened to them?” I ask, desperate for good news.
Stroking his silken white beard, he looks thoughtful. “I am no historian, but I believe all met with an unhappy end
The silence following his words has him startled, and he follows up quickly. “That is not to say there is no hope. Sister Miriam may be of more help in this scenario.”
-Biting my lip, I turn to Kellan. “Where is she? When will she be back?”
We need to cut this new complication off at its head somehow. I refuse to lose Lucas to some barbaric ritual of power usurpation. He is the alpha of the Westwood Pack. As soon as his strength retur
“No one knows. She comes and goes as she pleases.”
Damn it.
“Why don’t you contact her?” Dr. Blackwell asks, staring at me with clear, guileless eyes.
Frowning, I shake my head. “No one’s phones are working. And even if they were, I don’t have her phone number!”
“Oh! We don’t need her number!” Vanessa brightens. “We have that communication ball from Magister Orion.” Setting her healer’s pack on the table, she rummages through it as she talks. “Though, I don’t know if you are able to activate it, Ava.”
“I have no idea, but trying is better than sitting around and twiddling my thumbs. I’ve had enough of that for a lifetime.”
Lisa grunts, and Kellan squeezes her shoulders. “Are you okay?” he asks, in a whisper so loud that everyone has to pretend they don’t hear him. Honestly, the man’s practically yelling.
“I’m fine. Just understand what Ava feels like”
1 slam my hand on the table, frustration boiling over. “What’s the point of all this magical training if I can’t even activate a simple orb?”
The communication ball sits there, mocking me with its inert silence. I’ve tried everything I can think oftouching it, willing it to work, even whispering different incantations I can barely remember. I’m not even sure what most of them are for.
Nothing
Vanessa places a gentle hand on my shoulder. “Ava, we weren’t expecting your connection to magic to be cut off so suddenly. Your training was brief:
“I know, I know.” Running a hand through my hair, I blow out a long sigh. “I just wish I’d started earlier. Maybe things would be easier now.”
If only I’d known then what I know now. But hindsight’s always perfect, isn’t it?
Dr. Blackwell clears his throat, drawing my attention. He’s holding something in his wrinkled handa bracelet, but not like the chunky white one on Lisa’s wrist. This one’s a delicate silver chain, adorned with stars and moon phases.
“This might help,” he says, offering it to me.
The metal is cool against my skin, but there’s a familiar energy to it. Something I’ve long ago associated with magic within an item. “How?”
He shrugs, his eyes twinkling. “I don’t know. It’s an artifact, made for a witch long ago.”
Long ago? That’s shocking. “But it looks so… modern.”
“Appearances can be deceiving,” Dr. Blackwell says with a wink. He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a small obsidian disc. “This is a wardstone. This will create a tenfoot radius where no one can hear what’s being said. One of our most requested items. Just infuse it with magic, or use the incantation. Just be warned, the silence activates after the incantation.”
So basicallydon’t use the incantation if you don’t want your enemies to know what you’re doing. Got it.
“What’s the incantation?” There’s nothing about the stone that hints at its magical properties. Not even a buzz against my skin. It’s just a rock as far as I can tell.
“”By moon’s grace and stardust bright, silence falls, veiling the night.”
The stone tickles my palm, magical energy seeping out of it. It’s faint, but there.
Fascinating.
Though, the incantation is much than anything I’ve heard Magister Orion use. They’re usually one or two words. Not a poem. “I’m going to have to write that down.”
“Can I use it?” Vanessa asks curiously, reaching out to touch the stone. She doesn’t seem to feel the magic emanating from it at all.
“Anyone can use it. Wardstones have no owner and will activate if the requirements are met. To deactivate it, the incantation is, ‘By dawn’s first light and morning’s cheer, break the hush; let sounds appear.”
The thrumming disappears at once.
Lisa snorts. “No wonder no one knew about any plans if everyone’s walking around with those.”
Dr. Blackwell looks startled by her comment, his bushy eyebrows shooting up. “That is a point to consider.”
Staring at the item in my hand, I’m suddenly overwhelmed.
My brain hurts. My heart hurts. The bond inside me is still weeping.
“Kellan, is there anything urgent at this particular time? Or can I take a break for a few hours and get a little rest?” I’d love to visit Lucas after, butwell. That’s for tomorrow, I guess.
“No, Luna. I have everything under control. Marcus and Vanessa are up to date, and Dr.