Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted novel Chapter 406

I’m reluctant to leave Ivy’s side, but Vanessa thinks my presence might actually be worsening the fever.

So—reluctantly—I leave the hospital, followed by my silent and shadowy entourage of guards. It kind of feels like there are more of them now. I can’t really keep up, but I’ve gotten used to having them around.

But apparently, even with a giant mob of wolves surrounding me, I can still be snuck up on.

"Ava."

Before my brain recognizes the warm voice, I jump near out of my skin. It’s dark out now, and my observational skills are (clearly) a little lacking. Probably due to the fact that I’m constantly surrounded by professionals who do it for me.

"Jesus, Lucas. You could warn a girl first."

His rich laughter wraps around me, warming my anxiety-ridden heart, as his arm slides around my waist. The solid weight of him against my side blocks the wind, but all our layers keep the heat of his skin away from me. Proper shifters are always so warm. He’s like my own personal heater.

There are definitely benefits to being mated.

"Where are you headed?"

"Home." I press closer, shivering a little in the bitter cold. My body’s warm, but my cheeks are freezing. And my nose. "Are you done with the others?"

Lucas nods, but there’s an unusual tension in the set of his jaw. His fingers flex against my hip.

"What’s going on?"

"I need to take a team out." He keeps his voice low. "We’re going to track down Ryder and Jericho."

My stomach drops. I lean into him more heavily as we walk, needing the emotional connection more than his physical support. "How long will you be gone?"

"Hard to say. Depends what we find out there."

The words hang between us, heavy and heartless. Maybe they’re dead. We’ve been losing a lot of people lately. Scouts here and there. Not enough to dent the numbers, but we shouldn’t even have one loss.

Snow crunches under our boots as we walk, and I focus on that sound rather than the fear trying to claw its way up my throat.

What if he runs into the taint? I won’t be there to sense it.

What if he gets hurt?

What if—

Damn. This must be how he feels every time I leave Wolf’s Landing.

Probably.

Selene’s dry voice at least lends a little humor to the moment.

"You okay, Ava?"

Glancing up at Lucas, who’s staring down at me with worry creasing his eyebrows, I can only smile. "I’m fine. Just worrying about you. Wishing I could keep you home, in bubble wrap."

His eye twitches. "What?"

"Nothing." It’s like his face is going through a variety of emotions. I think he’s happy I’m worried about him, but he’s also definitely offended. "I just hate when we’re apart."

"Me, too."

Lucas tugs my hand free from my pocket, lacing his fingers through mine. The warmth of his skin seeps into my frozen fingers, and I squeeze his hand tight. Our boots crunch in sync as we head toward our cabin.

"I need to leave soon. Everyone’s gathering now."

My heart constricts a little. "Promise me you’ll be careful out there."

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"Always am."

"But what if something happens here while you’re gone? The taint is spreading faster, and Ivy’s condition—"