Filed to story: Tangled in Moonlight Unshifted Novel by Lenaleia
My first reaction is irritation that Lucas didn’t tell me about Ivy’s return. But even as the emotion rises, I recognize it as unfair. Lucas doesn’t typically seek me out for every development that doesn’t directly involve my responsibilities. We catch up throughout the day, sharing information as needed.
Still, this is Ivy.
You’re being territorial, Selene comments, sounding pleased.
“Shut up,” I mutter into my cocoa.
“What?” Lisa asks.
“Nothing. Just talking to my nosy wolf. Did Kellan tell you?” A tiny smidgen of jealousy flares at the idea that Kellan would take time out of his day to warn Lisa, when Lucas won’t even tell me—damn it, no. Down, Ava. You’re better than this.
You’re not.
Shut up.
“No. I got to hear all about it when her adoring fans fawned all over her, asking why she has a bandage on her face. No idea how a woman can look so glamorous with bandages on her head, but she managed to.” My best friend sounds sour; she’s very against Ivy’s existence ever since our little girl talk over the she-wolf.
Glad I’m not in the cafeteria, if that’s the subject of the day. Unable to help the bad mood that’s descended, I try to focus on enjoying the cup of hot cocoa in my hands.
“You’re going to break that cup if you hold it any tighter,” Lisa points out.
Damn it. I’ve been living with the plan to kill Ivy with kindness and acceptance, but I enjoyed her lack of presence too much. Having her back destroyed that bit of tranquility. Even with all the shit that’s happened, at least I didn’t have to see her face as she kept doing things to make her seem indispensable.
It’s hard to throw a fit when your opponent is always doing good things. I’d look absolutely out of my gourd for throwing a fit because someone helps other people or saves lives or finds a giant chunk of quartz for me to store my magic in.
Forcefully relaxing my fingers around my cup, I sip at my hot cocoa, only to blink in surprise. My cup is empty.
“Here, I’ll get you some more.” Lisa plucks the mug out of my hands, but I hold her back with a shake of my head.
“Don’t worry about it. Just stay here with me.”
“I wasn’t going to tell her you’re out here.” Lisa settles back on the log, her breath visible in the cold air.
A groan escapes me. “Is it pathetic that I’m out here avoiding another she-wolf? I mean, I’m Luna. I should be able to handle one person without hiding behind snowball-wielding children.” But damn it, it’s so freaking hard to deal with her without looking like the one being unreasonable.
It isn’t that I’m avoiding her because of my feelings. I’m avoiding all the eyes that will be glued to us during our entire interaction. These stupid co-Luna rumors have gotten popular.
“Please. I’d avoid her too.” Lisa watches Tommy demonstrate his perfect snowball technique to an attentive audience. “Actually, I am avoiding her. Hence why I’m out here with two thermoses of hot chocolate and way more cups than necessary.”
“At least you have an excuse. You’re human.”
“And you’re Luna. You can do whatever you want.” She grins. “But there’s nothing wrong with strategic avoidance. It’s better than snapping and setting her on fire.”
I snort. “I wouldn’t set her on fire.”
“No?” She arches an eyebrow, studying me. “Because your magic is kind of making you sparkly. Thought it might be because you’re angry.”
I glance down at my hands, noticing the faint shimmer beneath my skin. “That’s different. That’s just… excess magic.”
Strange. I shouldn’t have much.
That is strange, Grimoire agrees, sounding confused.
“Right. Excess magic that showed up when someone mentioned her name.”
“You’re exaggerating.”
“Am I?” Lisa’s voice drops to a whisper. “Ivy.”
The shimmer intensifies. I can see it.
I can, too.
“Stop that, Lise.”
“See? I rest my case.” Lisa looks far too pleased with herself. “Though I have to admit, the whole glowing thing is pretty cool. Like a built-in mood ring. When did that start?”
She’s taking it in stride more than I am. I’m freaking out a little and trying to pretend it isn’t happening. “It’s not cool when I’m trying to maintain my composure as a dignified Luna.”
“Who says Lunas can’t glow? Maybe it’s a feature, not a bug.”
Despite myself, a laugh bubbles up. Trust Lisa to find humor in my magical tells. “Yeah, because nothing says ‘respect my authority’ like lighting up like a Christmas tree whenever I’m annoyed. Maybe I should star in the next Blockbuster vampire flick.”
“Better than what I do. Last time she tried to talk to me, I knocked over an entire rack of practice weapons. Just… whoosh. Down they went. Had to distract myself before I got too mouthy with her too-perfect persona.”
“That was you?”
“Yep. Kellan had to help clean it up.” Lisa’s smile turns wistful. “He thought I tripped.”
“Did you?”
“Nope. Pure spite. Though I did pretend to stumble so I wouldn’t look completely unhinged.”
The kids’ laughter rings out across the clearing as they perfect their snowball techniques. Their joy is infectious, making it hard to maintain my sour mood.
“Maybe we’re being unfair,” I say, though the words taste like I vomited into my own mouth. “She did just lose her entire escort team.” That’s actually, objectively terrible. It’s a tragedy, and I’m over here whining because I don’t like her. What kind of shitty Luna does that make me? Even if they weren’t my pack members, these are people who have spent a long time with us in Wolf’s Landing.
“Maybe.” Lisa doesn’t sound convinced. “Or maybe she’s playing up the sympathy angle. Just wait until you see her. You’ll notice how the bandage on her face somehow makes her look more attractive. Like some kind of wounded warrior princess.”
“Lisa!”
“What? You will.”
She’s coming, Selene says sourly.
Shit. I need to put on my proper Luna face, and not grumpy-she’s-back Ava face.
The sound of people crunching through packed snow has me turning, and my petty irritation dissolves at the sight of Ivy’s face. A white bandage covers her left cheek, and dark circles rim her eyes. Her usual perfect posture is gone, replaced by slumped shoulders and dragging feet.
“Luna.” Her voice lacks its usual musical quality.
“Ivy.” I step forward, leaving Lisa with the kids. “How are you doing?”
“I’ve had better days.” She touches the bandage on her face, a gesture that seems unconscious rather than calculated. “Much better days.”
The genuine grief in her voice strikes me harder than expected. Whatever issues exist between us, she’s lost people who mattered to her. Her escort team wasn’t just protection—they were companions, and likely friends.
“I’m so sorry about your team.” The words come naturally, powered by real empathy rather than social obligation. “If there’s anything you need…”
“Thank you.” She swallows hard, her eyes fixed on some distant point. Her voice cracks. “We were together for three years.”
My heart aches. How many times have I worried about losing my own guards? Marcus, Greg, all of them—they’re more than just protection. They’re family.
“The kids are having hot chocolate,” I offer. “There’s plenty to share.”
Ivy glances at the clearing where the children play, their laughter a stark contrast to her pain. “Maybe later. I think I’ll rest for now.”
“Let me walk you to your building.” The words slip out without thinking. Maybe it’s the grief etched into her face, or maybe I’m just tired of being petty. “You look exhausted.”
“Thank you.” Ivy’s voice carries none of its usual musical lilt. “I’d appreciate that.”
We walk in silence through the packed snow, our boots crunching with each step. The cold bites at our exposed skin, but it’s been a constant companion for months.
Living in Wolf’s Landing has made winter feel like an old friend—harsh but familiar.
She’s watching you, Selene mutters.
Yes, she glances at me occasionally, but her eyes lack their usual calculating gleam. She just looks… lost.
“How are you doing, Ava?” Ivy breaks the silence as we round the corner of the cafeteria. “I heard you’ve been working non-stop with the corruption. You must be exhausted.”
My spine stiffens. There it is—that hint of concern that could be genuine or could be another subtle dig. Another way to suggest that maybe Lucas needs someone to pick up my slack. Someone who isn’t constantly drained from magical duties.