Filed to story: Tangled in Moonlight Unshifted Novel by Lenaleia
Yeah, it’s still weird to me, too.
Sister Miriam’s voice fills the room, her words flowing with an eerie calm that sends a shiver down my spine. “There is no evidence of any supernatural activity within sixty miles in any direction” she reports, her red eyes scanning the faces around her. “The closest hub is actually a registered community to the west, which is decimated and abandoned.”
I feel Lucas tense beside me, his hand on my back stilling for a moment before resuming its comforting circles. The absence of supernatural activity should be reassuring, but knowing others are suffering only brings ominous shudders to m my spine.
Lisa, ever practical, voices the question on my mind. “How is that good news?”
Sister Miriam’s gaze shifts to Lisa, those unsettling red eyes boring into her. “It is good to know there are those who are not allied with our enemics,” she says, in her languid way.
Dr. Blackwell’s calm voice cuts through the tension. “The enemies of our enemies are our friends, he says. “We need allies.”
Lisa shakes her head. “I don’t get it. They’re all gone. How can we ally with dead people?” Lucas speaks up then. “It’s unlikely they were all killed,” he says, his voice steady. “They are. probably in hiding, waiting to fight back, as we are.”
But I can feel the hint of surprise inside of him. Is he surprised he spoke up?
“There are others out there,” Sister Miriam agrees. “Perhaps as scared and desperate as we are, looking for allies. We are in the middle of a dead zone, which means we’re less likely to be attacked. So far, aside from influential human cities, the only places to be attacked are supernatural hubs.” Her eyes flicker to the wolves in the room. “And packs”
“Which is why we need strong leadership. We have to find allies. We can’t fight back alone.” Vester points at me. “You will be the catalyst for our rebirth.
“Me?” Startled, I glance around the room. Everyoneincluding Lisa!-look as though they approve of Vester’s words. “How is it me?”
Sister Miriam sighs. “Child, you have to open your mind. Have you learned nothing t weeks?”
Apparently not.
Don’t take it to heart, Selene murmurs. She’s just like that.
Oh, and now these two are besties, I guess.
We have reached a truce between us.
“You brought Westwood their first allies, child. They want you to take over diplomatic relations.” The vampire’s red eyes glitter. “Such accolades will serve to strengthen your Luna position and take gossip off their Alpha’s healing”
Everything moves too quickly, and before I know it, Lucas and I are standing in front of the entire pack.
All the scouts are back for the occasion. Even the humans who lived in this community before our arrival are here.
This place was long ago chosen as a safe place in case of invasion, though I’m sure previous alphas never believed such a day would happen.
Lucas stands before the pack, his presence a palpable force that washes over the gathered crowd. I can’t help but marvel at the sheer power he exudes, even without his memories. His alpha aura blankets the area, and I watch as it affects both wolves and humans alike.
The weaker members of the pack bow their heads, unable to meet his gaze; it’s a stark reminder of the hierarchy that exists within wolf society. But it’s the stronger wolves that catch my attention, their eyes glittering as they watch Lucas. A mix of pride and unease churns in my stomach. How many of them are eyeing his position, waiting for a moment of weakness? Lucas’s voice rings out, clear and commanding. “I have found my mate, your new Luna.”
The cheers that follow are halfhearted at best, a ragtag chorus that lacks true enthusiasm. My heart sinks a little. I knew this wouldn’t be easy, but the lukewarm reception still stings. “Ava, Lucas says, gesturing for me to join him.
I step forward, my legs feeling like lead. As I look out over the crowd, I’m not surprised to see several faces twisted with discontent. Their disapproval is written plainly across their features, and I fight the urge to shrink back.
Lucas continues, his voice steady and sure. “Ava has been working tirelessly to bring allies to our pack. She understands the threats we face and is dedicated to our survival.
I keep my expression neutral, though inside I’m a mess of nerves. It’s also strange to hear Lucas speak about me this way when I know he doesn’t remember our history.
“In fact,” Lucas says, his tone taking on a note of pride that makes my heart skip, “it was Ava who brought Sister Miriam to us. As we know, her actions have saved countless lives.”
The change in the crowd is immediate and startling. A loud cheer erupts, catching me off guard. The sound washes over me, a far cry from the tepid response from before.
Sister Miriam saved many of the wounded, including those still in the hospital, Selene says, sounding rather proud of the vampire she once bickered with.
I scan the faces beforeme, trying to gauge the sincerity of their reactions. Some still look doubtful, but others nod in approval. It’s a small victory, but I’ll take it.
Lucas’s voice takes on a more serious tone, and I can feel the shift in the atmosphere. “I know there have been rumors circulating about Ava not having a wolf.
BIG Ava Westwood Luna
The crowd falls into an unnatural silence. Every eye turns to me, scrutinizing, judging. I force myself to stand tall, my chin lifted. I meet their gazes headon, refusing to cower or look away.
fear. My heart pounds in my chest, but I won’t let them see my
“I want to address these rumors directly,” Lucas continues, his voice firm and unwavering. “Ava is no defect. She is not wolfless.”
A ripple of surprise moves through the crowd. Whispers start up, quickly hushed as Lucas raises his hand for silence.
“Ava is unique,” he says, his eyes scanning the faces before us. “She is oneofakind, but her wolf stands among us.
Confusion replaces the surprise on many faces. I can almost hear the questions forming in their minds: How can this be? What wolf? What is he saying?
Lucas turns slightly, gesturing to his side. “I’d like to introduce you to Selene.”
On cue, Selene trots forward, her movements graceful and deliberate. She takes her place beside me, her presence a comforting warmth against my leg. The crowd’s confusion deepens, their gazes darting between me and Selene. After all, she’s a husky. I’m sure they think it’s a big joke. They’ve all seen her around.
She’s just a dog to their eyes.
Ask Lucas to formally bring you into the pack as Luna, Selene’s voice echoes in my mind. It’s time.
I take a deep breath, steeling myself. This is it. The moment that will cement my place in this pack, for better or worse. I turn to Lucas, my voice steady as I recite the ritual words I’ve been taught.
“Alpha of the Westwood Pack, I stand before you and our people. I offer myself as your Luna, to serve and protect this pack with all that I am. Will you accept me as your mate and as Luna of the Westwood Pack?”
Lucas’s eyes lock with mine. His voice is strong and clear as he responds.
“Ava Grey, I accept you as my mate and as Luna of the Westwood Pack. May your strength be our strength, your wisdom our guidance, and your love our shelter.”
As the last word leaves his lips, I feel it. A sharp, sudden snap inside me, like a rubber band breaking. I gasp, my hand flying to my chest. It takes me a moment to realize what I’m feelingor rather, what I’m no longer feeling. The pack bond, the one I’d never truly felt before, has broken. It was brittle and frayed, barely existing within my soul.
But before I can fully process this loss, a new sensation floods through me. It’s warm and golden, spreading from my core to the tips of my fingers and toes. It feels like coming home, like finding a piece of myself I never knew was missing. This, I realize, is what a true pack bond feels like. The wolves in the crowd begin to cheer, but it’s hesitant, uncertain. Their confusion is palpable, a living thing that hangs in the air between us.
Suddenly, Selene’s voice rings out, not just in my mind, but in the minds of everyone present. We will serve the Westwood Pack as Luna with our very life. This is our vow, our promise, our destiny. The shock on the faces of the pack members is almost comical. Some stumble back, others shake their heads as if trying to clear them. A few of the stronger wolves growl, their instincts rebelling against this strange intrusion.
But Selene stands strong against the confusion, and I can feel it.
A presence stronger than any wolf here, pulsing from her.
The crowd falls silent, a wave of submission rippling through the gathered wolves. Some drop to their knees, eyes averted, while others struggle against the invisible force emanating from Selene. I watch in awe as her aura pulses, a shimmering curtain of power that washes over even the strongest wolves until they, too, lower their heads in deference.|||
Even Kellan has his gaze lowered.
Only Lucas stands, unaffected.
but I can’t
Of course. I would never undermine his authority here. Selene sounds way too smug. blame her. This display of raw power is unlike anything I’ve ever witnessed, and it’s coming from my wolffrom a part of me I’m realizing I took for granted.
Lucas seizes the moment, his voice ringing out clear and authoritative. “Wolves of the Westwood Pack, bear witness. Ava Grey stands before you as your one true Luna. She is my mate, chosen by fate and accepted by me. I demand your loyalty, your respect, and your unwavering support for her
His words carry weight, each syllable heavy with the command of an Alpha. I feel their impact. through our newly forged pack bond, a ripple of energy that seems to reinforce Selene’s display of dominance.
Now is the time for your speech, Ava, Selene’s voice echoes in my mind. Show them who you are.
I take a deep breath, steadying myself. This is my momentour moment. I step forward, feeling the eyes of every wolf upon me. The silence is deafening, expectant.
“Wolves of the Westwood Pack, I begin, my voice stronger than I expected. “I stand before you not just as Lucas’ mate, but as a warrior in my own right.” Though the idea of calling myself a warrior falls flat in my head, Selene assured me it’s the right word to use. “I may not have been born into this pack, but I choose it. I choose you.”
I pause, letting my gaze sweep across the crowd. Some faces are still wary, others curious, but all are attentive.
“I know many of you have doubts. You’ve heard rumors, whispers of a Luna without a wolf. But as you can see, those rumors were false. Selene is my wolf, as much a part of me as your wolves are a part of you. We are different, yes, but that difference is our strength.”
I gesture to Selene, who sits regally by my side. “In Selene, I carry the wisdom of ages, the strength of our forebears. Through her, I am connected to the very essence of what it means to be a wolf. And through me, she is tied to humanity in a way no ordinary wolf can be.”
I can feel the crowd’s energy shifting, curiosity replacing wariness. I press on, emboldened, but the weight of my words is heavy on my tongue. “I won’t lie to you. The road ahead is difficult. We face threats from all sidesvampires, rogue wolves, even traitors within our own ranks. But we are not helpless. We are not weak.”
Cada Ava Salorier’s Preistince
My voice grows stronger. “We are the Westwood Pack. We are survivors, fighters, a family bound by more than just blood. We will rise again. With every last drop of my blood, with every last breath, I promise to serve as your Luna and lend my strength to our pack