Filed to story: Tangled in Moonlight Unshifted Novel by Lenaleia
“You know,” I say, breaking the silence, “maybe we’re looking at this all wrong. Instead of trying to get rid of Ivy, maybe we need to find a way to work with her.”
Lisa looks skeptical. “Work with her? After everything she’s done?”
I shrug. “She hasn’t really done anything, remember? And she is good at her job. Maybe if we include her more, make her feel like she’s truly part of the pack, she’ll be less likely to cause problems. I’ve been keeping her at arm’s length because she always makes me feel awkward, but…”
“Or she’ll use it as an opportunity to get closer to Lucas,” Lisa mutters.
“Maybe,” I concede, because Lisa’s probably right. What’s that saying? A leopard doesn’t change its spots. “But Lucas has made his choice clear. And if Ivy can’t respect that, then she’ll be the one causing problems, not me.”
Lisa nods slowly, considering my words. “I guess that makes sense. But Ava, you have to promise me something.”
“What’s that?”
“Don’t let her walk all over you. You’re the Luna of this pack. You have power, whether you realize it or not.”
I feel a smile tugging at the corners of my mouth. “I promise. No doormat Ava here.”
Lucas is almost to Wolf’s Landing, Selene reports, my ever-dutiful link to the pack since I can’t hear them myself. He sounds exhausted.
“I’m sure he is.”
I trudge through the snow, each step a battle against the elements. The white expanse stretches before me, sometimes reaching my waist.
“Damn it,” I mutter, yanking my foot free from a particularly deep drift. “We really need to invest in some snowshoes.”
Ahead of me, my bodyguards forge a path in their wolf forms. Their massive paws act as natural snowshoes, distributing their weight and making it easier for them to navigate the treacherous terrain. I envy their effortless grace as I stumble along behind them.
Without them breaking the trail, it would be even worse.
We’re approaching the first ward, Selene encourages me. We’ve made better time than I expected.
I nod, focusing on the task at hand. The wards are a crucial part of our defense, and maintaining them has become a significant part of my duties as Luna. It’s time-consuming work, but necessary. Especially now, with the recent blizzard potentially compromising their integrity.
“Grimoire,” I call out, my voice muffled by the thick scarf wrapped around my face. “Any signs of damage?”
The magical tome materializes beside me, taking the form of a silver fox. His fur shimmers against the white snow.
Not that I can sense. Remember that while a strong storm can wipe out the energy signature of a weak ward, it isn’t common when they are properly maintained. I still think you’re being overly cautious.
“I’m not taking chances. Not with the pack’s safety.”
Your caution is commendable, though we might all freeze to death.
I can feel the first ward before long, a tingling sensation that dances across my skin, even beneath the layers of fur fashioned into a coat, courtesy of our hunters. As we draw closer, I extend my senses, probing the magical barrier for any signs of weakness or decay.
To my relief, the ward seems intact. Its energy pulses steadily, a testament to the care and attention I’ve poured into it. But there’s always room for improvement.
“I want to strengthen the obfuscation element,” I tell Grimoire, who’s bounding through the snow as if he’s a pup himself. “Make it harder for those taint-touched wolves to find us. Or anything else that might be out there.”
Grimoire pauses in his joyous bounding. A wise precaution.
It’s surprisingly easy to reinforce obfuscation wards. It’s an additional one, not part of the main security system, and simpler than you’d think.
After melting an area of snow, thanks to a bit of summoned fire, I simply draw a simple glyph into the ground and infuse it with magic.
Legend—well, Grimoire—states that this rune was created by one of the Fae gods, though he admits the history is a little fuzzy, even to him. Despite his longevity, he technically only came into power when created.
It’s all very mystical and strange, and apparently the concept of time back then was quite fluid to his senses. Grimoire’s very existence is remarkable, something us mere mortals can’t truly fathom.
More than a book, but not any sort of god, and not even really a person.
Power flows from me into the ward, guided by my will and Grimoire’s quiet instructions. The cold fades away, replaced by the warmth of my magic.
Remember to keep your instructions at the forefront of your mind. This glyph will absorb its instructions from you and act accordingly. It is very simplistic in that aspect.
Finally, I open my eyes, swaying slightly; my balance is off now that my focus is back in my physical body. Following magical currents leaves me a little dizzy.
One of my bodyguards—pretty sure it’s Marcus—steadies me with his massive furry body.
“Thanks,” I murmur, patting his flank. To Grimoire, I ask, “How’s it look?”
The magical fox circles the area, his nose twitching as he assesses my work. The obfuscation element is significantly stronger. It should prove quite challenging for any unwanted visitors to penetrate. It’s a little shaky, but I think it should do as you want.
“Good. But we’re not done yet. How many more wards do we need to check today?”
Three more on this patrol route.
We set off again, the wolves breaking trail as before. The going is a little easier this time. The wolves guarding me also seem to have perfected how they break the trail for me, leaving a flatter path. On the other hand, the wind has picked up, driving bits of ice into any exposed skin.
As we approach the second ward, I steel myself for another round of magical exertion. The fatigue from reinforcing the first ward lingers, a dull ache behind my eyes, but I push it aside. There’s work to be done.
This ward feels different from the first—not weaker, exactly, but less stable. The energy fluctuates in a way that sets my teeth on edge. It’s jarring.
“Grimoire,” I call out, “are you sensing this?”
Indeed. It seems the storm has had some effect on this one. Not catastrophic, but certainly in need of attention.
I nod, already reaching out with my magic to assess the damage. It’s my first time touching a damaged ward, but somehow it all maps out in my head. I’ve created enough of them. It’s easy to narrow down the areas of instability.
It’s going to take more work to fix this one.
The best way to describe it is—I don’t know. Weaving, I guess, though I’m not an expert. Back and forth, in careful layers of magic, creating little patches of stability where damage has torn away at the ward.
By the time I’m done, you can’t even see where the damage was. It all melts into the ward, leaving it as pristine as the day I created it.
When I finally open my eyes, the world spins for a moment before settling.
Marcus nudges at my elbow with a whine.
He wants to know if you want to return. He’s worried you’re pushing too hard today.
“I’m okay. There’s two more left. Let’s keep moving.”
LUCAS
Ava’s nowhere to be found, but Aurum is quick to let me know she’s checking on her wards again.
He sounds grumpy, and I don’t blame him.
The woman’s turned into a bit of a workaholic when it comes to her magic wards. I don’t understand them—they’re far more advanced and finicky compared to the pack wards we’ve used for generations. She says it’s because they’re practically useless, but I think they work just fine.
Aside from the vampire problem, which probably means she’s right. But it still shouldn’t need to go out near-daily to check on them, right?
But I can appreciate her dedication to our pack’s safety, and it’s true no one’s stumbled upon us since she put them up.
It would just be nice if she’d check on her mate as religiously as she checks on those damn wards.
Jealousy, Aurum whispers in the back of my head.
Shut up. You feel the same way.
His agreement is without guile. Aurum is true to himself and comfortable with his insecurity involving our mates. Goddess knows he makes a scene around Selene whenever he gets a chance.
Mate, he says wistfully.
I sigh, stamping my feet to dislodge the snow from my boots. The cold seeps into my bones, and I head straight for the shower, eager to warm up. As the hot water cascades over me, I make a firm decision.
We’re staying in tonight. No scouting runs, no training, no debriefings. I just want to spend the night with Ava. Eat a nice dinner together. Relax. Ask her about her day…
And more.
My mind drifts to the carnal side. The curve of her hips, the softness of her skin. Aurum rumbles his approval in the back of my mind. Just as I’m imagining the sound of her cries as I slam into her from behind, a strange sound interrupts the pleasant daydream.