Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted novel Chapter 359

Lucas is almost to Wolf’s Landing, Selene reports, my ever-dutiful link to the pack since I can’t hear them myself. He sounds exhausted.

"I’m sure he is."

I trudge through the snow, each step a battle against the elements. The white expanse stretches before me, sometimes reaching my waist.

"Damn it," I mutter, yanking my foot free from a particularly deep drift. "We really need to invest in some snowshoes."

Ahead of me, my bodyguards forge a path in their wolf forms. Their massive paws act as natural snowshoes, distributing their weight and making it easier for them to navigate the treacherous terrain. I envy their effortless grace as I stumble along behind them.

Without them breaking the trail, it would be even worse.

We’re approaching the first ward, Selene encourages me. We’ve made better time than I expected.

I nod, focusing on the task at hand. The wards are a crucial part of our defense, and maintaining them has become a significant part of my duties as Luna. It’s time-consuming work, but necessary. Especially now, with the recent blizzard potentially compromising their integrity.

"Grimoire," I call out, my voice muffled by the thick scarf wrapped around my face. "Any signs of damage?"

The magical tome materializes beside me, taking the form of a silver fox. His fur shimmers against the white snow.

Not that I can sense. Remember that while a strong storm can wipe out the energy signature of a weak ward, it isn’t common when they are properly maintained. I still think you’re being overly cautious.

"I’m not taking chances. Not with the pack’s safety."

Your caution is commendable, though we might all freeze to death.

I can feel the first ward before long, a tingling sensation that dances across my skin, even beneath the layers of fur fashioned into a coat, courtesy of our hunters. As we draw closer, I extend my senses, probing the magical barrier for any signs of weakness or decay.

To my relief, the ward seems intact. Its energy pulses steadily, a testament to the care and attention I’ve poured into it. But there’s always room for improvement.

"I want to strengthen the obfuscation element," I tell Grimoire, who’s bounding through the snow as if he’s a pup himself. "Make it harder for those taint-touched wolves to find us. Or anything else that might be out there."

Grimoire pauses in his joyous bounding. A wise precaution.

It’s surprisingly easy to reinforce obfuscation wards. It’s an additional one, not part of the main security system, and simpler than you’d think.

After melting an area of snow, thanks to a bit of summoned fire, I simply draw a simple glyph into the ground and infuse it with magic.

Legend—well, Grimoire—states that this rune was created by one of the Fae gods, though he admits the history is a little fuzzy, even to him. Despite his longevity, he technically only came into power when created.

It’s all very mystical and strange, and apparently the concept of time back then was quite fluid to his senses. Grimoire’s very existence is remarkable, something us mere mortals can’t truly fathom.

This ward feels different from the first—not weaker, exactly, but less stable. The energy fluctuates in a way that sets my teeth on edge. It’s jarring. _{freёwebnovel.com}