Filed to story: Tangled in Moonlight Unshifted Novel by Lenaleia
A chill creeps through my bones as I watch the screen, and I rub my arms, somehow far colder now than I have been at any point this winter. “Is there any chance the government is actually fighting back against whoever did all of this? That maybe this is legitimate?”
The silence in the tent tells me how naive it is to even hold such a hope. Lucas’s arm tightens around my waist, and Kellan’s face hardens into stone. Even Vanessa’s usual gentle expression turns grim.
“Look at their positioning,” Lucas says calmly. “The vampire stands closest to Collins. That’s not an accident.”
My stomach turns as I study the footage again. “Maybe. Or that just happens to be where he’s standing.”
I’m not trying to argue, but just holding out that slim thread of hope that our enemies haven’t taken over the freaking White House. But it’s a weak and flimsy wish. The kind toddlers might beg of while praying to a shooting star.
Nothing but a fairy tale dream.
“Has to be.” Kellan reaches over Vanessa and taps the screen where another figure lurks in the shadows. “See that one? Bet it’s a thrall.”
“How can you tell?”
“I don’t know. Just looks like one.”
He doesn’t even know anything about thralls, but I have to admit that it just feels like the guy might be one. His skin is strange and his eyes look glassy, even on camera.
“They’ve infiltrated the highest levels of government. This is what they’ve been working on. This is why the attacks stopped.” Lucas grimaces. “It had nothing to do with the weather.”
“More like they’ve taken control of it,” Vanessa whispers. Her hand drifts to her belly, a protective gesture that makes my heart ache. “The timing is too perfect. Communications restored, FEMA mobilized, supernatural beings suddenly accepted into government power…”
My mate grunts, his entire body stiff. “And the previous administration conveniently eliminated. Not only that, they have access to all the information and data alphas provide to the government.”
“Does the government know about Wolf’s Landing?” I know that wolf packs are highly regulated by the government, but I didn’t even know safe havens existed before everything happened.
“No.”
“Thank goodness,” the healer mutters.
“What does this change for us right now?” The question comes out harsher than I mean for it to, and I backpedal quickly. “I mean, what do we need to change now that this is happening?”
Lucas smiles wearily. It’s grim and tight, but he’s clearly trying to keep me at ease. “That’s what we’re trying to figure out.”
“We need to be more careful than ever.” Kellan throws his head back to look at the ceiling, his eyes narrowed as he thinks. “Social media’s back up. People will share anything strange they see. One wrong photo, one video of wolves in the woods…”
“Precisely. And these FEMA caravans they’re organizing? Perfect cover for moving soldiers around. We need to stay close to Wolf’s Landing for now.”
“We’ve made good progress with supplies,” I point out. We have a stockpile. This is what we’ve been aiming for since the beginning.
“We have. Which is why it’s the perfect time to hunker down and watch what unfolds.” Lucas’ voice carries that edge of authority that means his mind is made up. “We need to see what game they’re playing.”
A knot forms in my stomach as I consider the situation even further. “Do you think the attacks will start again?”
“Yes. This time, they’ll be hunting down any supernatural who refuses to fall in line with their new world order.”
The chill in my bones spreads deeper. “But Westwood is accepted by the government. We’re part of the Northwestern Council. They can’t just turn around and say we’re enemies, right?”
Lucas shakes his head, his golden eyes dark with exhaustion. “Think about it. What’s to stop Blackwood from painting us as the aggressors? We invaded their territory. Took their land.”
“But they attacked us first…”
“Did they? Or did we steal their beta’s daughter and force them to retaliate?”
Right. This is a conversation we’ve had before. Blackwood was always intending to turn Westwood into the aggressor.
Lucas continues, “Renard’s been working with the vampires all along.”
“Which means any story they spin about us will have the backing of the new administration.” Kellan grimaces. “The Council will bow to the White House, but even before that, a new Council will be built. Aspen, Westwood, Twilight Ridge, Silvermoon… We have no place in a world where Blackwood is the rising power.”
“That’s why he was so confident.” Thinking back to Alpha Renard’s insane plans and how they had never sat right with me, the last puzzle piece has finally fit. His absolute certainty that he could take on Westwood and get away with it, despite Council opposition, suddenly makes perfect sense. “He knew this was coming. He knew he’d be in power when the time came, because he was always waiting for this.”
My throat goes dry as everyone heaves long sighs. “How long have they been planning this?”
“Since before any of us were born, most likely. They would have had to get their support just right within the pack lands. Eliminate any alphas who might pose a real threat. Territory placement would be important, too.”
“Your father,” Kellan murmurs.
Lucas’ jaw tightens. “Among others, probably.”
The implications make my head spin. My entire life—all our lives—have been shadowed by some grand vampire scheme. While we’ve been running around in desperation, trying to keep our pack alive, trying to figure out what’s going on, we’ve never done more than scratch the surface of what’s out there.
It makes me wonder how much Sister Miriam knew and refused to tell us.
How much any of them knew.
But maybe they were as in the dark as we were. After all, everyone was shocked when the attacks happened. Even in Dakota Sanctuary.
“But how did they keep it so secret? It doesn’t make sense.”
“Where did I put it?” I rummage through the dresser drawers, tossing clothes onto the floor. “I swear I had my phone when we got here.” I pause. “Didn’t I?”
The details are a little fuzzy, considering. Between months passing and the insanity of our escape from the Fae Ward…
You’ve never been good at keeping track of your belongings.
“That’s not true.” But even as I say it, doubt creeps in. When was the last time I saw my phone? Is it still in the Fae Ward? The idea that someone might have access to my texts leaves me a little sick to my stomach.
Oh? Remember that time you lost your house keys three times in about five minutes?
“That was different. I was distracted.”
And your favorite shirt? The blue one?
“It probably got mixed up in the laundry.” I move to the nightstand, rifling through the drawer. Nothing but a few hair ties. A luxury item, and I try my best not to lose them.
What about your necklace and ring?
My hand flies to my throat, fingers searching for a weight I already know isn’t there. It’s been months.
“They must be in my luggage back at Westwood.” But even as I say it, uncertainty gnaws at me. Did I put them somewhere else for safety, instead? Well, it doesn’t matter. Either way, they’re in Westwood. Someone’s probably stolen them by now.
Those pieces of jewelry were more than accessories—they were protection, ways to hide what I am. Hopefully they don’t fall into the wrong hands. Not that I’m sure what anyone can do with them.
Shaking those thoughts off, I head back to my dresser. It has to be there, if it’s anywhere at all.
“What are you two discussing?” Grimoire materializes beside me, his child form perched on the dresser. Sometimes he’s nosy.
“Just my old necklace and ring.” I push aside a stack of sweaters, but there’s still no phone. “The ones Selene made me wear to suppress my magic.”
A strange sensation tickles my mind—like fingers rifling through my memories. The jewelry appears in crystal clarity: the amethyst pendant and its matching ring.
“WHERE ARE THEY?” Grimoire’s voice booms in my head and ears, making me stumble back. His eyes glisten with excitement.
“God, Grim.” I rub my temple. “No need to shout. And I thought we talked about these before?”
He scowls at me. “I would remember discussing the Goddess’ blessings. This is the first I’m hearing of them.” He pauses. “Though, if I hadn’t seen them, I suppose I might not have realized…”
“The… what?”
What is he talking about? Selene’s voice holds an edge of wariness.
“The Goddess’ blessings,” Grimoire repeats, more insistent. “Those weren’t mere trinkets to suppress magic. They were divine artifacts.”
Somehow, this feels right. Those things never seemed normal. “What do you mean by that?”
Grimoire’s eyes shine with an otherworldly light. “The Goddess crafted three pieces of jewelry for a young Luna, thousands of years past. A necklace, a ring, and a bracelet.”
“A bracelet?” My heart skips. “I never had a bracelet.”
“The Luna was much like you—a witch who mated with an alpha.” Grimoire’s voice takes on a rhythmic quality, as if reciting from memory. “Her children were strong shifters, all except one. A daughter, blessed with magic but unable to shift or control her power.”