Filed to story: Tangled in Moonlight Unshifted Novel by Lenaleia
While the city of vampires is as modern as they come and do business with the outside world, they are almost completely closed to any of the large wolf packs. Even the rogue shifters allowed within their city limits have no interest in working with an official pack. Bloodshed is more likely than words exchanged.
Ryder’s tension in front of my desk tells me everything I need to know about the contents of the reports.
Nothing.
All this time and we haven’t manufactured a single lead outside of what Ava’s learned from her little vampire friend.
“So we can’t find even a rumor on this Mad Prince? That’s what you’re telling me?”
“We have yet to even verify he exists,” Ryder agrees quietly. “Are you absolutely positive on the intel?”
“Positive,” I grit out, unable to contain the flare of irritation at a delta daring to question their Luna.
Even if he has no idea who gave me the information.
The delta’s hands go up in a placating gesture that has my mental hackles rippling. “I didn’t mean to question you, Alpha.”
A frustrated growl tears from my throat as I scratch at my beard and lean back in my chair, the weight of responsibility crushing my chest. After a few moments, I force myself to rein in my temper. “Stand at ease, Ryder.”
He obeys immediately, but the tension radiating from him mirrors my own. “What else can you tell me about the pack rites?” The words feel like sandpaper on my tongue. A funeral for all the young wolves lost in that massacre… children ripped from their families too soon.
“The Silvermoon beta and their Elder Healer arrived an hour ago to show solidarity during the service.” Ryder’s voice is steady, but I can see the pain in his eyes. “Your funeral clothes are ready for you in your quarters.”
Fury lashes through me, hot and sharp. All those innocent lives lost, and for what? I have nothing to tell their families, no justice to offer them. No way to ease their grief.
“Lisa’s parents have been calling every few hours for updates.” His too-calm words pull me from my spiraling thoughts.
I sigh heavily, running a hand over my face. “I’ll call them in the morning.” Even though we have no news, no hope to give them. Their daughter is still missing, likely suffering at the hands of a sadistic vampire, and we’re no closer to finding her.
“They insist on the local police being part of the investigation.”
Another sigh escapes me. “I’ll talk to them.” Though I already know what a disaster that will be. Humans have no idea about the supernatural world. They’re not equipped to handle this kind of threat.
Even if the Granite City police—who are well aware of their jurisdiction and would only send someone sensitive to the supernatural issues at play—were to join the investigation, it would be as nothing more than a gesture.
No human can investigate a supernatural crime.
Follow new episodes on the “N0vel1st.c0m”.
It’s only asking for more bodies to add to the death toll, and the Unregistered don’t play nicely with any government entity at their door.
“Any human joining the investigation is likely to have a hard time,” Ryder points out, echoing my thoughts.
“I know,” I snap, my frayed nerves getting the better of me. Taking a deep breath, I force myself to relax. “I’m sorry, Ryder. I shouldn’t take this out on you.”
He nods in understanding, but I can see the strain on his face. We’re all pushed to our limits, desperate for a break in the case, for some way to strike back at the monsters who did this.
I stand abruptly, needing to move, to do something. “I’m going to check on the preparations for the rites. Keep me updated if anything changes.”
“Yes, Alpha.” Ryder bows his head respectfully as I stride past him, my mind already racing ahead.
The hallways of the pack house are eerily quiet as I make my way outside. Even the usual bustle of activity is subdued, everyone lost in their own grief and anger. I pause at the sight of the funeral pyres being built in the courtyard, the scent of fresh-cut wood and incense heavy in the air.
So many pyres. Too many.
My wolf howls mournfully inside me, echoing the ache in my chest. As Alpha, it’s my duty to lead the rites, to honor our fallen and offer comfort to those left behind. But how can I comfort them when I have no answers? No justice on the horizon?
There’s only one idea that tries to rear its ugly little head, and I quash it beneath my heel without a second thought.
There has to be another way.
sa saws up before dinner, with a bag full of doctor stuff and @puu milar ny that tells me I’m got dong anything until she gets she needs.
bel suffer through the blood pressure, my blood being drawn and Taken away by one of my new stone faced bodyguards, of which there are at least 6, and a lot of questions she asks me every single day
My answers haven’t changed, but she still asks them.
I watch intently as Vanessa packs up her medical supplies, my mind churning with the weight of the secrets I’m keeping. With the balt baked plans inside my head. With my desperate need to save Lisa from whatever fate the Mad Prince has planned.
1 wet my lips, trying to find the right words.
Vanessa, how do you feel about keeping secrets from your mate?” The question slips out before I can stop it.
She pauses, a knowing smile playing on her lips, her eyes twinkling.
Trouble in paradise already with the overbearing Alpha?”
I glance toward the bedroom door “Can the bodyguards hear verything we say in here?”
She looks amused, “No. Your prior Alpha had this room. soundproofed
Relief washes over me and I take her hands in fnine, desperation clawing at my throat. “I have secrets, Vanessa. Secrets that I want. to share with you. Most of it is stuff Lucas knows, and some are things I haven’t told h on.”
Her expression sobers, her grip tightening on my hands. “Ava, I’m loyal to the Westwood pack and to my Alpha.” She pauses, conflict. flickering in her ey my own judgment. However, if this endangers the pack…”
“It won’t,” I assure her, my interruption swift. “It doesn’t endanger Westwood. But Lucas won’t like that I’m doing things without hist permission.”
She watches me, caution on her face, even as she squeezes my hands in reassurance. “I can’t give you a straight answer without knowing what it is. My
I struggle with her response, torn between the need to unburden myself and the fear of betrayal. Selene’s voice echoes in my mind, urging me to trust Va
She’s your best option right now, Selene reminds me gently. You need an ally, Ava.
I take a deep breath. “Selene isn’t a dog. She’s my wolf.”
Vanessa’s expression shifts to one of bewilderment. Her brows knit together, creasing her forehead as she processes my revelation.
“How is that possible?” she asks slowly, her eyes flickering between me and Selene, who yawns from her spot on the bed.
I grimace. “Honestly, I’ve yet to get a straight answer out of her. It’s impossible. She drinks secrets for breakfast. But Lucas knows about her”
Relief is clear in Vanessa’s eyes. “Oh. That’s good, at least.” But I can see the wheels turning in her head as she thinks things through.
Before she can ask for more clarity on things, I rush, “Selene thinks she can talk to my mother’s wolf. I want to try. The real problem is that we have to fo
“That might kill her,” the healer says automatically, glancing again. toward Selene. “And only an alpha can force a switch in pack allegiance. Even then, i
“But they would need to be in physical contact.”
“Yes. Which, I suppose, is unlikely to happen.” Vanessa frowns. “Let me think this through for a moment. There has to be a better way.” It would be good
I watch as Vanessa paces around the room, her brow furrowed in concentration. She mutters under her breath, occasionally shaking her head as if dism
Settling onto the bed beside Selene, I run my fingers through her soft fur, focusing on the sensation of her head and ears beneath my touch. It’s a small comfort amidst the ch mind.
“Is it possible for Selene to pull the wolf’s presence out if the human host is unconscious?” Vanessa asks suddenly, her gaze intense as she looks at me
I glance down at Selene, who tilts her head, considering the question. It might be possible, she admits, her voice echoing in my mind. But there are too m
“Selene says it might be possible, but there are too many variables to know for sure,” I relay to Vanessa, watching as she absorbs the information.
Vanessa nods, her expression thoughtful. “And what about your mother’s wolf? Will she be loyal to Renard?”
The question catches me off guard, and I find myself at a loss for words. Loyalty is a complex thing, especially when it comes to the dynamics between a wolf and their alpha.
It’s unlikely, Selene chimes in, sensing my uncertainty. Strong wolves usually chafe under alpha demands. But the bond between your mother and her wolf is strong. It may override any desire to break free from Renard’s control.
I repeat Selene’s words to Vanessa, my heart sinking at the realization that even if we manage to separate my mother from her wolf, there’s no guarantee that the wolf will be on our side.
My entire plan rests on trying to convince the wolf to betray her alpha.
Vanessa absorbs the information, her lips pressed into a thin line. “So, we have a potential way to communicate with your mother’s wolf, but no assurance that the wolf will cooperate.”