Filed to story: Tangled in Moonlight Unshifted Novel by Lenaleia
“None.” Lucas’ jaw tightens. “The snow was disturbed enough to suggest multiple casualties, but we found no remains. The blood patterns indicated fatal wounds.”
“Could they have been taken?”
Vester traces a line on the map. “Most likely. The tracks were confusing. Some led north, others south. Most were obscured by fresh snowfall before we arrived.”
“What about Ivy’s account?”
Lucas exchanges a look with Vester. “She described a brutal ambush. Said her entire escort died protecting her.”
“I believe her.”
“We do, too.”
Despite our issues, the raw pain in her voice when she spoke of her lost pack members rang true. “But how did she survive?”
“That’s what troubles us.” Lucas releases my hand to lean over the map. “By her own account, she was surrounded. Yet she made it here with only minor cuts and bruises.”
“Could she have shifted?”
Vester shakes his head. “She arrived human, fully clothed.”
I study the map, trying to make sense of it. But there are no answers.
“There’s another thing.” Lucas taps the attack site. “It took her three days to reach us. In that time, she didn’t run into a single patrol. None of our scouts picked up her scent until she was practically at our doorstep. Nothing that worried us before, but…”
The implications settle like ice in my stomach. Either Ivy possesses skills she’s never revealed, or something else carried her through that frozen wilderness. Something that left that controlled corruption inside her.
“We need to know what really happened out there.” Lucas straightens, his expression grim.
“I can help with that.” The words come out before I can stop them. “I might be able to see traces of whatever’s inside her. Maybe track it back to its source.”
“No.” Lucas’ response is immediate. “It’s too dangerous.”
“I agree with Lucas.” Vester’s normally calm voice carries an edge of concern. “If something out there can take down an entire escort and possibly one of our deltas, we can’t risk you exposing yourself to it.”
I shake my head. “I don’t mean I’m going to run out and chase it down. I mean here. With Ivy. Our source.” The corruption pulses in my memory, so different from the chaotic taint I’ve been fighting. Understanding it could be key to everything we’re facing. “And if this somehow spreads to others, we need to know.”
Lucas studies me for a long moment. “Only if you take precautions. And you don’t attempt to interact with whatever’s inside her without discussing it first.”
“Agreed.” It’s an easy promise to make. Right now, I just need to understand what we’re dealing with.
Be careful, Selene warns. This feels like a trap.
Everything feels like a trap lately, I reply, but I know she’s right. Whatever happened to Ivy’s escort, whatever’s happening to her now, it’s all connected to something bigger.
Hopefully not something that’s been waiting for us to notice it.
Lucas’ fingers brush against my arm, drawing my attention back to him. “Thank you for telling us this, Ava.”
Heat rises to my cheeks at his praise, but more than that, the knot of anxiety in my chest loosens. I’d thought briefly that I should walk away, that Ryder’s situation was more urgent. Now, pulling together the extra information, it seems that Ivy’s situation is worse than I thought. I wouldn’t have known if I’d swallowed my words and walked away.
“I almost didn’t. It felt small compared to what you were talking about.” Admitting the truth makes me feel a little like a child asking for more praise, though.
“Nothing about this situation is small.” Lucas pulls me closer, his warmth steady and reassuring. “Your ability to sense these things, to notice what others might miss—it’s invaluable. Don’t ever hesitate to bring your concerns to me.”
Vester nods in agreement. “The smallest detail can reveal the largest threats. If you hadn’t mentioned this about Ivy, we might have missed a crucial step in our investigation. More lives could be at stake.”
My gaze drifts to the maps again, seeing them with new eyes. Every marker, every note that might be significant. How many other “small” things have we overlooked?
Lucas squeezes my shoulder. “We need every piece of information, every observation. Your perspective helps us see patterns we might otherwise miss. Don’t underestimate the importance of what you know.”
Buoyed by my mate’s support, though dreading what Ivy’s situation might mean—for her and for all of us—I scurry through the packed trails of camp, unsurprised as fresh snow flutters through the sky. It feels like we snow more days than not.
Find out anything yet? I reach out to Grimoire, who’s been silent. I can sense Selene watching, but have no idea what he’s doing. Sometimes I wish I could just pull his expertise into my head so I don’t have to take the long route of actually learning how to do things myself.
Don’t be lazy, he chides.
Okay, but did you discover anything yet?
He’s silent, leaving my brain to itch as I wait for his response. Finally, he does.
No.
Helpful.
Don’t blame me. I’m limited in my abilities until you get here.
“I’m not blaming you,” I grumble, almost slipping over a patch of re-freeze. The temperature’s plummeted, more than I’d think it would. The sky isn’t even fully grayed out.
My magic wriggles in my belly, and I realize I’ve covered myself in a light layer of warmth without thinking twice.
Like autopilot, but the magical version.
Nice.
Stop being impressed with yourself and hurry up.
“I am, I am.” Picking up the pace, I notice a small group of wolves headed toward the debriefing tent. My connection with the pack is not as defined as it should be, but I can vaguely sense that they’re Westwood wolves. Must be a scout party coming in.
Hopefully they come with good news. We could use some.
You’re slowing down again.
Selene’s gentle nudge kicks me into a light jog.
The hospital lodge smells of antiseptic and bleach, a stark contrast to the crisp winter air outside. My boots squeak against the freshly mopped floor as I enter, and I wave at the receptionist—someone I’ve seen several times, yet still can’t remember her name. She nods back, professional and distant.
“Luna,” she murmurs as I pass.
“Looks like it’s pretty quiet today.”
Her eyes widen. “Luna, you can’t use that word. You know it’s bad luck.”
Oops. “Sorry—” I surreptitiously peek at her little badge “—Tanya.”
She reaches over to knock on the wooden frame of her desk. “Better safe than sorry.”
Flashing an apologetic grin, I head down the hall to Ivy’s room.
A solid mass crashes into my shoulder, throwing me off balance. My hand flies to the wall to steady myself as a man in dark clothing stumbles back.
“Sorry,” he mumbles, voice rough and low. He keeps his face angled down, dark hair falling forward to obscure his features. His shoulders hunch as he hurries past me, footsteps quick and deliberate.
I turn to watch him go, unease prickling at the base of my neck. There’s something about his posture, his hurried exit—
But my pack bond assures me he’s a Westwood wolf. Not an intruder.
Oh. Maybe he’s one of Ivy’s little fans. Probably didn’t want to be caught by his Luna. Cute. Her followers are everywhere.
The door to Ivy’s room flies open. Vanessa stands in the doorway, her face pinched with worry. “Her fever’s spiked again. Any news?”
My heart jumps into my throat. “No. Even with the medicine, it’s going up?”
“No, it’s getting worse.” Vanessa pulls me into the room, her grip tight on my arm. “Come see for yourself. It just started.”
Ivy thrashes on the bed, her skin slick with sweat. Her head whips from side to side, auburn hair plastered to her face. The blankets twist around her legs as she fights some unseen enemy in her fevered state.
But what catches my attention isn’t her physical state—it’s the corruption inside her. The darkness pulses like a second heartbeat, stronger than before.
A flash of silver light fills the room. Grimoire materializes beside me in his adult form, towering and alien, red hair floating around his face.
“Take her hand,” he commands, his voice deep and resonant. “I need you to establish a physical connection.”