Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted - Chapter 354

Chapter 354: Ava: Ryder Brings Good News
A horde of wolves stream into our camp. Several shift in the middle of the snow, eager to embrace their friends or family for the first time in months. It feels as though the entire compound is out to watch the largest crowd brought in by our scouting team.

There’s an overall atmosphere of joy and celebration, but underneath it all, my mind worries over simple problems. Food. Firewood. More shelter. We only have so many tents, so many beds, so many blankets… And winter isn’t over yet.

“Kellan,” I call out, spotting his broad shoulders in the crowd. “Get these people settled in the new tents. Make sure they’re comfortable. We may need to switch people around to make sure no family units are broken up.”

He nods, already moving to direct the flow of refugees. A pang of worry hits me as I consider our dwindling firewood supply. We’ll need to send people out for more.

My eyes scan the crowd. Some of them are from other packs; they hang back, tails tucked, in small groups of their own. One group has their tails up, panting in the snow as they glance around. Probably Aspen wolves.

Right on cue, Ivy approaches them.

Distracting me from the influx of new people is Delta Ryder Thorn, looking like he’s been through hell and back. He’s lost weight, and his fur seems matted. But there’s something about him that has Selene sitting up to take notice.

“What’s going on?” I ask Lucas, who unwraps his arm from around my shoulder.

“I don’t know. He wanted to tell us in person. Come, let’s head to the debriefing tent.”

Ryder follows us without comment, though he’s practically bouncing on his paws. He shifts almost as soon as the tent flap closes behind him, grabbing some clothes at random off the shelves we have for that purpose.

“I bring good news,” he announces, his voice hoarse but triumphant.

Lucas raises an eyebrow, a silent command to continue.

“We found Jericho.”

My hand shoots out, grabbing Ryder’s freshly donned shirt before I can stop myself. “Where is he?” I demand. He wasn’t in the group.

A firm hand pulls me back, and I let go of his black shirt as my back bumps into Lucas’ chest. To his credit, the delta doesn’t flinch at my reaction, only grinning wider. “He’s with a group of supernaturals, about a hundred miles northwest. They’re all in hiding.”

“How did you find him?” Lucas asks, cool as a freaking cucumber. Like it’s any report on any given day.

“He found us through the pack link. When we got close enough, he reached out.”

Frowning, I ask, “Why didn’t he come back with you?”

The bright light of excitement fades, and Ryder’s lips thin. No longer keeping eye contact, he gazes off to the side, clasping his hands behind his back and shifting his feet, as if bracing himself.

“Beta Mentor Jericho was severely injured. Many of the wolves we brought today were saved by his efforts. But he lost both his legs.”

Devastating words. Tears fill my eyes as an image of the grizzled old shifter jumps to my mind’s eye. Fit. Healthy. Energetic.

“But he’s alive,” I whisper, trying to give myself something positive to cling to.

Both of my shoulders bow under the weight of my mate’s hands, and he squeezes gently. “He’s alive.”

His words rumble against my back, and I nod jerkily, blinking against tears.

“Why didn’t he return with you?” Lucas addresses Ryder now, all business, as I’m still reeling.

I’m sorry, Selene offers quietly. She never followed us into the tent; she’s overseeing the new arrivals and keeping an eye on Ivy. Jericho is a good wolf. He saved many lives.

Yes, but at what cost?

My heart twists, wondering how he’s handling it. No one ever deserves a disability. Ever. But it’s turning my world upside down to imagine someone so strong and vibrant forever trapped in a wheelchair.

“Kellan will be here soon,” Lucas says, and I realize I’ve missed part of the conversation. “I want him to hear in person.”

“Understood, Alpha.”

* * *

Lucas and his subordinates spent a long time in discussion. About Jericho, mostly, and the new problems that have now arisen. The old wolf managed to bring together many survivors. Not just wolves, but other supernaturals.

Including vampires.

Jericho remained with them as the pack discusses whether to bring them here, to the safety of Wolf’s Landing, or keep them where they are.

What do you think? Selene asks, having followed me—and my ever-present bodyguards—to a giant log in the center of the compound.

It’s smooth, free of bark, and the perfect height to sit on. It’s also easy to eavesdrop in the area, so I take the time to converse through our bond link and not with my mouth.

I understand wanting to bring them here. Survivors are survivors, and we need allies.

But, Selene prompts.

I sigh, looking up at the sky. A few puffy white clouds float by, but for the most part, it’s a vast expanse of brilliant blue. I also understand why the wolves are cautious. Everyone’s been separated for so long, even wolves don’t know much about the other supernaturals. It makes it harder to build trust.

Soft fur tickles my thigh as she leans against my leg. Do you think the wolves would treat the Grand Sage differently if they learned he is a gnome, and not one of your tiny humans?

I shake my head. I don’t know. Not many of them really know him. I think they could just as easily believe he is a murderer as they can believe he is a good person.

Selene’s head settles on my knee. Petting her gives me a little solace, a break from my thoughts with the repetitive motion of my fingers sliding through her soft fur.

My mind wanders to the refugees and the potential new arrivals. The camp already feels stretched thin, resources dwindling faster than we can replenish them. Yet, turning away those in need goes against everything we believe in.

“What would you do, Selene?”

It is not a decision that needs to be made today.

I lean back, resting my palms on the smooth surface of the log. The breeze picks up, carrying with it the scents of pine and snow. Winter’s grip is tightening, and I can’t help but worry about how we’ll manage when the real cold sets in.

We were doing well before. Now, it’s as if we are barely scraping by. There’s always a new influx of bodies of late.

You’re overthinking again, Selene chides gently.

I smile ruefully. “Can you blame me? There’s so much at stake.”

True, but worrying won’t solve anything. You need to act.

“And what action do you suggest?” I ask, genuinely curious about her perspective.

Selene rolls her head to the side, her ice-blue eyes meeting mine. Go see these supernaturals for yourself. Talk to them, understand their needs and what they can offer. Then you’ll know if bringing them here is the right choice.

The thought of parting from Lucas makes me grimace. We’ve spent far too much time apart.

Talk to him. See what he thinks. It’s not a decision you can or should make on your own.

Rubbing her ears, I tease, “Six months ago, you would have told me that I should do whatever I want.”

Six months ago, you weren’t Luna. You were finding yourself and responsible for no other. She snorts, her doggy breath warm against my leg.

“Oh. It has nothing to do with the fact that you—”

Selene jerks back, yowling in typical husky fashion. Must you bring that up again?

“Bring what up? Oh, the fact that you hated—”

A warbling, up-down grumble—maybe it’s more of a yodel—has me biting my lower lip hard to keep the snicker from escaping.

That was a long time ago, she protests. I have accepted your choice in mate.

“Yes, yes. I’m sorry. I won’t ever bring up the fact that you once hated Luc—”

No!

Her triple-time aroos and the whining cadence that comes with them almost break me, and I turn, pressing a fist against my mouth, desperately trying not to laugh. She’s going to be so upset with me if I laugh at her.

But there’s nothing more hilarious than Selene when her husky side comes out. It’s like she forgets she’s actually a wolf inside.

“Luna!”

Struggling to regain my composure as Selene mouths at my arm in frustration, probably because she can feel the laughter in my head, I turn to the familiar voice, squinting against the bright sunlight. “Hi, Wes.”