Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted novel Chapter 372

LISA

After miles of walking, the sun is pretty high in the sky.

I’m too exhausted to shove back layers to take a peek at my watch, plus I really don’t want to know what time it is. If it’s too early, I’ll know we’re still ages from seeing Ava. If it’s too late, I’ll be even more exhausted knowing how long we’ve been trudging through the snow.

Better to just keep going as my lungs burn and my whole body aches. I really thought I was ready for this, but I’m not in as good of shape as I’d thought.

Kellan’s doubtful stare when I asked to come along is really making sense.

"Don’t worry." Mira’s friendly voice tells me she’s back. Sometimes she roams ahead, helping break trail. "We aren’t far now."

Thank. Fucking. God.

Mira points at a thin line of grey against the pale winter sky. "See that smoke? That’s their camp."

My shoulders sag with relief as I stare at the back of Kellan’s head. His broad shoulders haven’t slowed once during our trek, and here I am ready to collapse. "Have I slowed you all down?"

"Not at all." Mira’s smile warms her words. "We don’t always scout in wolf form, you know."

"Why not?" It hadn’t occurred to me that they would do that, but now that she’s mentioned it—well, why wouldn’t they? "Wouldn’t it be easier?"

Mira kicks at the snow, her boots sending up a sparkling spray. "Things are different when we’re shifted. We don’t make a habit of staying in wolf form for too long."

"Different how?"

"Our thoughts are simpler. More primal. Instincts take over. Pack bonds grow stronger, but complex reasoning becomes harder. Plus, clothes are a pain to deal with. No one likes shifting butt-naked in snow."

I steal another glance at Kellan’s back. His steady stride hasn’t faltered once during our conversation.

Sweat trickles down my spine despite the freezing air. My legs burn with each step through the deep snow, and my breath comes in harsh pants that crystallize in front of my face. The rising sun does nothing to warm me, though its rays paint the endless white landscape in shades of gold.

The smoke is ever closer, and eventually the scent of cooking meat makes my mouth water. The promise of warmth and food urges me forward those last few steps until the camp comes into view.

"Lisa!" Ava’s excited shout carries across the snow as she waves both arms like a maniac.

Before I can wave back, a silver blur crashes through the snow. Selene slams into me with the force of a furry semi, knocking me flat on my back. Her tongue assaults my face with enthusiastic licks.

"Stop, stop!" I laugh, trying to shield my face from her assault. "Your breath stinks!"

Mira’s strong hands grip my arms, hauling me back to my feet. Snow clings to my clothes, but I don’t care as I stumble forward to wrap Ava in a tight hug.

"What are you doing all the way out here?" Ava squeezes me back just as hard.