Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted novel Chapter 336

Vanessa bursts through the door, calm despite the energy buzzing around her. "You have two minutes to pack a bag. Evacuation is now."

I grab my messenger bag, with Grimoire inside. Lisa stands ready beside me, already with a bulging backpack slung over her shoulders.

"Kellan had a ’go bag’ ready for me since I moved in with him," she explains sheepishly.

I nod, impressed by Kellan’s foresight. My own preparations feel woefully inadequate in comparison. Hastily, I stuff a couple of extra outfits into my bag.

Turning to Vanessa, I gesture towards Aurum’s massive form on the bed. "We need a way to carry him. He’s not waking up."

Vanessa frowns as she assesses the situation. "We’ll figure something out. Maybe a stretcher."

Movement to the east, Selene’s voice interrupts, her tone distracted and tense. They’re trying to find a way around the wards.

"We don’t have enough vehicles for everyone. Most of the pack will have to go on foot. We’ll need to split the evacuation—humans in the cars, shifters on foot."

My heart sinks at her words. That means I’ll be separated from the pack. "Is that safe? Splitting up, I mean?"

Vanessa’s eyes meet mine, a mix of determination and worry in her gaze. "It’s not ideal, but it’s our best option. The shifters can move faster through the forest, and we need to get the humans to safety as quickly as possible."

I nod, understanding the logic even as fear gnaws at my insides. My gaze drifts back to Aurum, his golden fur rising and falling with each breath. How are we going to move him?

"What about Aurum?" I ask, unable to keep the concern from my voice.

"We’ll use one of the trucks. Don’t worry."

Vanessa instructs the guards outside the door to carry Aurum on a stretcher to the truck. To their credit, they ask no questions, obeying in efficient silence. Only minutes later, we’re in the heart of the pack with the others. Humans are divided into cars, as many as they can fit. Their fear is so strong, even I can smell it in the air. _{freёweɓnovel.com}

"Ava." A familiar voice cuts through the chaos, and I turn to see Marcus approaching. Relief washes over me at the sight of his weathered face.

"Marcus!"

His eyes never stop scanning the area. "I’ll be sticking with you and Lisa. We need to keep the human evacuees safe."

Having Marcus here, solid and dependable, makes the impossible task ahead feel manageable.

All around us, wolves move with practiced efficiency. It’s a sight to behold—every pack member helps at least one other before shifting into wolf forms, securing packs to each other’s backs. The chaos I expected is surprisingly absent, everything moving along in orderly fashion.

"They’re all pros by now," Vanessa says, following my stare.

"What about the wounded?" I ask, dreading the answer.

She smiles, her worried eyes lightening at the question. "We have no wounded. Everyone’s healed since the last attack."

Thank God for small favors.

I watch as three groups of wolves dash out into the night. Their coordinated movements speak of countless drills and, likely, real-life experience.

"They’re going to reinforce the scouting party," Vanessa explains, her voice eerily calm given the circumstances.

Contact is made, Selene’s voice echoes in my mind, sending a jolt of fear through me.

"How far out are they?" I ask, trying to keep my voice steady.

"Only half a mile from camp."

I strain my ears, expecting to hear the sounds of battle, but there’s nothing. Is a half-mile really that far away? "I can’t hear anything."

A presence materializes behind me, and Sister Miriam’s voice drifts over my shoulder. "They’re probably suppressing the sound of fighting so they don’t scare us off."

I turn to face her, taking in her enigmatic expression. "What about you? What are you going to do since we’re all evacuating?"

She reaches out, patting my head in a gesture that feels both comforting and patronizing. "I need to make sure all loose ends are cleaned up so no reports of this camp get back to their headquarters."

Her fingers brush my hair behind my shoulders, and her eyes meet mine. "Don’t worry, little Luna. You and your people will remain safe."

Before I can respond, she vanishes from view, leaving me staring at the empty space where she stood.