Filed to story: Tangled in Moonlight Unshifted Novel by Lenaleia
The question stings my pride a bit. “I managed well enough the night you rescued me,” I remind him. “I can handle this.”
He looks thoughtful for a moment, then nods. “Fair enough. Where to next?”
* * *
We get a quarter of the perimeter done before it’s too dark to see. Vester hands me a flashlight without comment and slows his pace to mine.
Walking isn’t hard. My muscles aren’t sore or stretched. But my body has no energy left, as if I’ve sapped it of everything.
Pretty much, Grimoire says cheerfully. But that’s a good thing. Depleting your reserves will only force your body to draw more magic in. Make sure you eat well. Your body needs fuel, too.
The cold bites through my clothes, seeping into my bones. I hadn’t expected it to drop this drastically. A shiver runs through me, and I clench my jaw to keep my teeth from chattering.
Without a word, Vester shrugs off his coat and drapes it over my shoulders. The residual warmth from his body envelops me, and I pull it tighter around myself.
“Thank you,” I murmur, touched by his thoughtfulness.
He doesn’t say a word, quiet as he usually is. Instead, he shifts into his wolf form as we walk. His fur ripples in the dim light; like most wolves, he’s a beautiful gray-furred wolf. Much larger than Selene, but small compared to an alpha like Lucas.
He pads ahead, leading the way back to our home.
As we walk, I can’t help but smile. It’s no wonder Vanessa loves him so much. Vester’s quiet strength and kindness shine through in moments like these. I make a mental note to tell her how much I appreciate her mate.
The lights of the camp come into view, and my heart lifts at the sight. Ever since I’ve started working with the pack, it’s come to feel like home. More than any other place I’ve lived before; even more than my precious apartment in Cedarwood.
It’s a place I have purpose. A place where I matter.
As we approach, I see several figures waiting for us.
Exhaustion weighs heavily on me, but I straighten my spine and square my shoulders; a Luna does not droop.
“Luna Ava!” a familiar voice calls out. It’s Wes, the young wolf I’ve been getting to know. His enthusiasm is infectious, and I feel my spirits lift.
“Hello, Wes,” I reply, managing a warm smile. “How are things here?”
As Wes launches into an update, others gather around. I recognize each face—Mara, the skilled huntress with a dry sense of humor; Jace, the quiet but dependable guard; Lila, whose green thumb has been invaluable to our garden efforts. She’s even put together a greenhouse, in hopes of keeping our vegetables alive a little longer.
I greet each of them in turn, asking about their days, their families. It’s more than just politeness—I genuinely care about these people. They’re my pack now, and I want them to know they matter.
A familiar face catches my eye. Sasha, a she-wolf I met just days ago. The angry red scar across her face is still healing, a reminder of the dangers we face. But her eyes are kind as she approaches.
“Luna Ava,” she says softly. “You look chilled to the bone. Come, let’s get some food in you.”
My stomach growls at her words, reminding me of how much energy I’ve expended today. Sasha gently takes my arm, leading me towards the communal kitchen. The scent of something savory and warm wafts towards us, making my stomach growl again, this time audible to everyone near.
Inside, the kitchen is a miniature hub of activity as several people sit at tables, eating.
Sasha guides me to a seat and disappears for a moment. She returns with an enormous bowl of stew, steam rising invitingly from its surface.
“Eat,” she urges, placing it before me along with a thick slice of bread. It’s soft and squishy, freshly baked. “You need to keep your strength up.”
I don’t need to be told twice. The first spoonful is heaven—rich broth, heavy on the meat, with spare bits of our meager amount of vegetables from the garden. Thankfully, wolves tend to be meat eaters, so they don’t complain.
“How are you feeling?” Sasha asks, taking a seat across from me.
I swallow a mouthful of stew before answering. “Tired,” I admit. “But good.”
She nods, understanding in her eyes. “You were scouting the perimeter today, right? It’s an important job. A Luna wouldn’t normally do it.” The words might sound a little strange, but there’s approval in her tone.
“I want to help. If there’s something I can do, I’m going to do it.”
She nods again. “Many are noticing this about you. Our Alpha has chosen wisely.”
Heat rises to my cheeks at Sasha’s words, and I quickly duck my head, focusing on my bowl. The warmth of the stew seeps into my hands as I lift another spoonful to my lips, savoring the rich flavors. It’s a welcome distraction from the unexpected praise.
I’m not used to this—people noticing my efforts, appreciating what I do. For so long, I was the outcast, the one who didn’t fit in. Now, to hear that others see value in my actions… it’s overwhelming in the best possible way.
A low, mournful keen jerks me out of a dead sleep.
Beside me, Aurum’s massive form twitches and writhes, soft whimpers escaping his muzzle.
“Selene, what’s happening?”
I think Lucas is waking, Selene’s voice echoes in my mind. She’s curled protectively around Aurum, her silver head resting atop his golden one.
My breath catches as hope surges in my chest. It’s taken so much longer than I expected.
Aurum lets out another pitiful whine, his paws scrabbling against the sheets. I reach out instinctively, wanting to comfort him, but Selene’s head jerks up.
Enemies.
“What do you mean?” My question is sharper than intended.
Intruders. Get dressed. Now. Kellan’s on his way.
I bolt out of bed, even though I don’t understand.
Then a strange, vibrating ping resonates inside my head.
Once.
Twice.
Three times.
Intruders repelled by the ward, Grimoire says with absolute calm. We need to find out what’s going on.
I scramble into the first clothes I can grab, my heart pounding so hard I can barely hear Selene in my head.
As I rush out the door, I collide with two familiar figures.
“Oof!” Lisa stumbles back, caught off guard.
Kellan steadies her with one hand while ushering us all back inside with the other. He closes the door behind us, his movements quick but controlled.
“A scouting party found traces of a strange group near camp,” he explains in a hushed tone, his eyes darting between Lisa and me.
My stomach drops. “Someone was near the northeastern wards,” I blurt out. “I can pinpoint exactly which ones were tripped. They didn’t make it through, though.”
“How far do your wards extend?”
I shake my head, frustration and fear mingling in my gut. If only I’d pushed myself harder. I could have had more wards placed. “Not even halfway around the perimeter.” The admission feels like failure.
Pushing past my self-doubt, I grab the map from the nearby table, spreading it out. My finger traces the line where the wards end, then taps the spots where they were triggered. “This is where we’re warded. And here. This is where they hit. Three, almost one after another.”
Kellan leans in, his brow furrowing. “That’s farther than I thought they’d be. They’re moving fast.”
The gravity of the situation is not lost on me. Another fight. We’ve just settled in after the last one. “How did they get so close without us noticing?”
Probably scent blockers, Selene’s voice echoes in my mind, her tone laced with concern.
Before I can respond, the air in the room shifts. A familiar figure materializes in the center of the floor, and I gasp. Sister Miriam stands before us, her eyes wild and her clothes splattered with blood.
“Prepare for a fight,” she says, her voice tight with urgency.
My brain reels at her sudden appearance—and the blood all over her—but a strange sense of calm takes over my mouth. “We were just discussing it. We’ve discovered traces of intruders. They hit my security wards.”
“Security wards?” She glances at me in approval. “You’ve grown. But, they won’t be enough. It’s an initial scouting party of vampires. They’ve caught the scent of the camp.”
My blood runs cold.
A group of vampires killed and injured so many during the first invasion of pack lands. Can we stand up to them when we’re already this weak? Without Lucas?