Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted - Chapter 480

Chapter 480: Lucas: A Reasonable Excuse
LUCAS

I tuck myself back into my pants, feeling a little smug as I hear Ava muttering in the shower behind me. Something about everyone knowing what we just did.

Yeah. That’s exactly the point.

I want every wolf in this camp to know she’s mine. Want them to smell me all over her. Inside her. Want them to know who she belongs to.

Even when they already know, I want them to know again.

Aurum rumbles his approval in the back of my mind, the golden wolf as possessive as ever when it comes to our mate.

I run a hand through my hair, trying to make myself look somewhat presentable. Not that it matters. Anyone with a nose will know exactly what just happened in this cabin.

But the smug satisfaction fades as I remember what started this whole thing.

Ava wants to come on the raid. Wants to walk straight into danger, right at my side.

Fuck that.

We need to protect her, Aurum growls.

“I know,” I mutter back.

But we need to be smart about it. Telling her no hasn’t gone over well, and even my fervent words in the heat of the moment haven’t changed her mind. I can’t just tell her she can’t come because she’s a woman, or because I’m the Alpha, or because she’s my mate.

I need a reason she can’t argue with. Something practical.

Aurum rumbles unhappily, torn between not wanting Ava in danger and not wanting her furious with us. He knows as well as I do that there’s no easy answer here.

I smooth back my hair one more time and head for the door. It’s time to deal with Clayton, who’s been standing outside through our entire… conversation.

He’s moved a few steps back from the door, leaning against a tree with his arms crossed. There’s something amused in his expression as he takes me in. His nostrils flare slightly.

He gives me a crooked half-grin. “I see I came at a bad time.”

I can’t help but laugh, reaching out to smack his shoulder. “Don’t worry about it.”

Besides, Ava clenched around me so deliciously every time he interrupted. It’s an experience I wouldn’t mind having again, but with time on our side and not working against us. My lips quirk as I think of how she’d blush if I told her what I’m thinking.

But there are more important things to handle before I can indulge in fantasies.

“What’s going on?” I ask, sobering.

Clayton sighs. “It’s about the ghost,” he says.

I raise an eyebrow, waiting.

“I’m concerned. If Ava comes with us on this mission, her… spectral companion… will make subterfuge almost impossible.”

I pause, letting his words sink in.

This is it. This is the excuse I need.

Even Ava can’t argue with something this practical. Her ghost is visible to others—it sings, it chatters, and it never shuts the fuck up.

I have no idea where it is right now, but there’s no doubt it follows Ava around the most.

It would be like taking a circus with us on a stealth mission.

A grin spreads across my face.

“You,” I say, wrapping an arm around Clayton’s shoulders, “are a lifesaver. I owe you one.”

He snorts, shaking his head. “I doubt Ava’s going to be thrilled about this. You shouldn’t celebrate yet. I saw her face; she’s not backing down.”

“Maybe not,” I admit. “But it’s a legitimate tactical concern. She can’t argue with that.”

Well, she can and probably will. Her temper’s gotten so much fiercer lately, especially when it comes to protecting her people. Flames practically shoot from her eyes when she thinks anyone’s in danger.

But the ghost is a reality she’ll have to accept.

Clayton’s expression grows more serious. “There’s something else.”

“What is it?”

He looks out toward the perimeter of Wolf’s Landing. “I have a bad feeling about this raid. It seems too easy, this information falling into our lap like this.”

I cross my arms, rocking back on my heels as I stare up at the darkening sky. Tension crawls up my spine.

It’s not like I don’t have similar concerns.

“You think it’s a trap?” I ask quietly.

“I think we should consider the possibility.” Clayton’s voice drops lower. “The timing is suspect, don’t you think?”

Ava seems to trust this Acarus person, and knowing he’s Sister Miriam’s son makes his words more legitimate to me, as well. But it doesn’t mean my natural paranoia and suspicious nature haven’t had thoughts and concerns.

“We’ll take precautions, but we have to assume it’s legitimate.”

“I know. But—”

“But your instincts are usually good,” I finish for him. “I’ll keep it in mind.” Alphas don’t make it very long by ignoring their instincts.

Ava will be out soon, ready to continue our argument. I need to be prepared.

“Any other tactical concerns I should know about?” I ask Clayton with a hint of a smile.

He raises an eyebrow, knowing exactly what I’m doing. “Trying to build your case?”

“Something like that.”

He considers for a moment. “There’s also the issue of her magic. It’s powerful, but unpredictable. In close-quarters combat—”

“She could hurt our own people,” I finish. “Good point.” We were often in the line of fire when the Magister and Lisa were attacking during the Mad Prince’s attack.

“I’m sure she has great control, though. Ava seems like the type to practice relentlessly.”

I shoot him a glare. “Whose side are you on here?”

“The side of making sure we all survive this,” he says simply. “Sometimes it means making tough calls about who stays and who goes. The ghost is my only concern with bringing her along. If she’s as powerful as people say—and your people say quite a lot, my friend—she is a valuable asset on the battlefield, whether you like it or not.”

Our conversation stalls as the cabin door opens. I turn to see Ava standing there, the ends of her hair damp and cheeks still flushed. She’s wearing fresh clothes, but there’s no hiding what we were just doing. It’s in her scent, in the mark visible just above her collar, in the way she’s moving.

She didn’t take a full shower and doesn’t seem to realize how much we can still smell on her.

Clayton’s nostrils flare and I stomp ruthlessly on a flare of jealousy. I’ve done well with it so far, and I don’t need it to start up again.

She throws a suspicious glance between us.

“What are you two plotting?” she asks immediately.

Damn. She knows me too well.

Clayton, diplomatic as ever, smiles charmingly, and I remind myself he’s my friend. Two seconds ago, we were getting along just fine. “Good evening, Ava. I was just discussing some concerns about the raid.”

Her eyes narrow, ice blue and piercing. It’s like her suspicions have been confirmed. “What concerns?”

Aurum won’t stop grumbling and my skin feels itchy every time her eyes flick toward Clayton, so I jump up the steps and slip an arm around her, breathing her honey and vanilla scent in.

My wolf practically purrs in satisfaction, but Ava smacks at my arm and says again, “What concerns, Lucas?”