Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted novel Chapter 348

LISA

As we make our way back to camp, I’m acutely aware of my three bodyguards following silently behind us. They’ve been stoic throughout this whole ordeal, even after nearly becoming collateral damage earlier. I wonder what they really think about all this.

Wolf’s Landing comes into view after a mile of trudging through snow, a sprawling collection of tents and cabins. It’s a far cry from the cozy apartment I shared with Ava in Westwood, but it’s home now.

As we walk, I catch snippets of conversation from passing wolves. Most of it revolves around patrol schedules, supply inventories, and the latest gossip. But every so often, I hear whispers about the Grand Sage’s strange inventions.

It’s funny. Most of the pack has no idea what we’re really working on out here. They see the gnome as some kind of eccentric engineer, tinkering away in his tent. But many wear his crowning achievement on their wrists—those "magic watches" that have revolutionized how we communicate across long distances. _{frёewebnoѵel.ƈo๓}

I glance down at my own watch, marveling at how something so small can be so crucial. It’s not perfect—sometimes the signal drops, or messages get garbled—but it’s a lifeline for our scouting parties, once out of the range of their strange pack mind link thing.

Of course, all watches need to be linked in order to send or receive. There’s a couple master watches (worn by the pack alpha and beta, of course), but several are linked to others, like a mate or direct superior. Or something. I don’t know exactly how it works; I’m not super hip on the chain of command stuff they do around here.

The Grand Sage’s voice breaks through my reverie. "I’ll need to make some adjustments to the brace. Perhaps a larger blood reservoir... or we could experiment with different types of crystals for energy storage, but we don’t have many to work with."

I nod, only half-listening. My mind is already drifting to the promise of warmth and comfort waiting in Kellan’s cabin. "Sounds good. And maybe on not blowing up random innocents when I make a single mistake."

He chuckles, patting my arm. "Of course, of course. Rome wasn’t built in a day, you know. Or was it? I can never keep human history straight."

* * *

The cabin I share with Kellan is cozy and warm. It’s a luxury to not share space in this place, especially lately, with all the new wolves being added with each returned scouting party.

The instant coffee tin mocks me as I scoop out a meager portion. Hot water, stir, and voila—a sad excuse for caffeine. I take a sip and grimace. Bitter, watery, and somehow both burnt and flavorless at the same time.

"Shit coffee," I mutter, padding back to the couch.

I wrap myself in a thick blanket, cradling the mug for warmth as I stare out the window. Snow falls in lazy flurries, blanketing the world in white. It’s peaceful, almost hypnotic.

My brain feels like mush after today’s magitech testing. The quiet is a balm, letting my thoughts drift aimlessly.

The front door creaks open and Kellan steps inside, shaking snow from his boots.

"Oh. Hi," I manage, my voice catching.

Snowflakes cling to his dirty blonde hair, now tousled from the wind. It was always super short before; it’s longer now. His cheeks and nose are flushed from the cold, making his stormy gray eyes pop. As he shrugs off his coat, I can’t help but notice how his shirt clings to his broad shoulders and muscular arms.

After he sets his boots aside to dry, he runs his hands through his hair. My eyes trail down his neck to the hollow of his throat, visible where his shirt is unbuttoned.

I force myself to look away, focusing on the shit caffeine in my cup.