Filed to story: Tangled in Moonlight Unshifted Novel by Lenaleia
Your alpha’s predicament is indeed complex. The memories aren’t gone, merely locked. Think of it as a defense mechanism. The human mind couldn’t process the raw, ancient power the wolf tapped into. So it builds a wall.
“So, how do we break down the wall?”
With a bomb, he says cheerfully.
There’s no way I heard that right.
“With a what?”
Lucas leans forward. “What did he say?”
I relay Grimoire’s words quickly before pressing my hand more firmly against the book’s cover.
“Care to elaborate?”
Not a physical bomb, you simpleton, Grimoire’s voice echoes in my mind, dripping with disdain. A magical one. A surge of power so intense it shatters the mental barriers.
So, the Grimoire I first met is still a part of his personality. Not just a cuddlebug puppy of a bond, but an intellectual elitist.
No, no. I didn’t mean it like that. The way he backpedals would be amusing if I wasn’t more focused on the information he gave.
I relay his words again, watching their expressions shift from confusion to intrigue.
“That sounds dangerous,” Lucas says, his voice tight with concern.
Sister Miriam leans forward, her eyes gleaming with interest. “It’s not entirely without precedent. Brute force is often used when finesse fails.”
Tell the bloodsucker she’s not entirely useless, Grimoire says, sounding pleased by the vampire’s understanding.
“Grimoire, what exactly would this ‘magical bomb’ do? And what are the risks?”
There’s a pause, and I can almost feel Grimoire considering his words. It would be a concentrated burst of magical energy, focused on breaking down the mental barriers. The risks… well, they’re not insignificant. Best case scenario, it works perfectly, and all memories are restored. Worst case…
I swallow hard, already dreading the answer. “Worst case?”
Worst case, it could shatter more than just the barriers. It could fragment the mind entirely, leaving nothing but broken pieces.
My heart plummets. I relay Grimoire’s words, feeling my brief rising hope dissipate.
Lucas is the first to break the silence. “So, it’s either get my memories back or become a vegetable? Those aren’t great odds.”
One option is a gradual approach. Instead of a bomb, think of it as a slow erosion. We could use magic to slowly wear away at the barriers, allowing memories to trickle back over time.
“That sounds better,” I say, hope rising in my chest. “What’s the catch?”
It would take time. Possibly months, maybe even years. And there’s no guarantee it would work completely. Some memories might remain locked away forever.
Once again, I’m a parrot, repeating it all for Lucas and Sister Miriam.
“We don’t have that kind of time,” Sister Miriam muses. “The war won’t wait for a single alpha to regain his memories. The longer he is without them, the worse it is for all of us.”
“What do you think, Selene?” I ask, fishing for her presence in my mind.
TAPhiln the vialin nen frichtoning the notantial nounedo nun immanan If it woulin
Tunna woning everything he’s lost. His memories, his sense of self, his connection to his wolf…
I shake my head; it doesn’t feel worth the potential downsides.
I know it’s not what you want to hear, Selene says, her presence in my mind softening. That’s why I’ve remained silent during this discussion.
“Grimoire, is there anything in between these two extremes? Something that balances risk and speed?” Lucas asks, for the first time showing real interest in the conversation.
There is one other option, Grimoire says, his tone serious. It’s a bit… unconventional.
“At this point, I think we’re open to unconventional,” I mutter.
The alpha could summon his wolf.
I blink, confusion washing over me. “Summon his wolf? What do you mean?”
Just as you summoned your wolf, Grimoire explains, his tone matteroffact.
My brow furrows deeper. “What are you talking about? I never summoned Selene. She just appeared one day.”
I can almost feel Grimoire’s exasperation through our bond. Child, do you truly believe a powerful being like Selene would simply materialize without cause? You called her, whether you realize it or not.
LISA
Kellan’s stare leaves me unsettled. It’s been intense ever since our reunion.
I’m grateful for the space he’s given methis whole fated mate business is like being slammed into by a rogue freight trainbut there’s a whole lot of little things that keep throwing his feelings into the foreground, making it impossible to ignore.
Like how he touches me a little too often.
How he watches my every move.
He hasn’t kissed me again, but it doesn’t make the current situation any less awkward.
“Can’t sleep?” he asks, as if us sharing a bed and him lying on his side to stare at me for the past hour is somehow conducive to falling asleep.
“Nope.” The word pops out with a little more sass than I intend, but damn it, does he have to stare at me like that?
“Oh.”
And awkward silence again.
“So, why couldn’t I just bunk with Dr. Blackwell?” My question breaks the uneasy tension between us.
“They don’t have an extra bed,” he explains easily.
“And no empty beds anywhere else? At all? Justnone?”
“None.”
“No sleeping bags?”
“No.”
“Extra blanket?”
“Not even one of those.”
He’s lying through his damn perfect teeth.
“You have a couch,” I point out. I saw it. I know it’s there.
“People come in and out at all times of day. It isn’t the safest place to sleep. Better to be in bed.”
“Right.” Fiddling with the comfortersoft and warm and smelling like DownyI dare to glance in his direction again, only to be caught by his unblinking gray eyes.
“You could sleep on the couch,” I point out in a vague mumble.
“I don’t want to.”
Of course he doesn’t. These wolves just do what they want and damn the consequences.
Angh an I want to ha anave, ahout it to then a fit and damand haalaan an tha aanah
That y make an inane sort of sound and watch the ceiling in the darkness. I hate to admit it, but I kind of like that he’s there.
“I hope Ava and Lucas are getting along.”