Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted novel Chapter 461

Chapter 461: Ava: Row Your Boat

My lungs burn as we sprint through Wolf’s Landing, the ghost floating beside us, humming a distorted version of "Row Your Boat" while Eleanor struggles to keep pace. Snow crunches underfoot, but I barely hear it over my pounding heartbeat.

"Is the hospital far?" Eleanor pants behind me, clutching her journal to her chest like a shield.

"It’s right there." I don’t slow down, but I do feel bad for the girl.

Still—my mind’s focused on Lucas and all the injuries from their fight. Vester didn’t give many details, but if they’re in the hospital, it can’t be good.

The ghost drifts ahead, twirling like a deranged ballerina. "Ring around the roses, pockets full of posies, ashes, ashes, they all fall DOWN!"

He screams the last word, swooping low over two wolves carrying supplies, who flinch despite themselves. They can’t touch him, but they sure as hell can see him.

The flying didn’t start until we entered Wolf’s Landing. He was walking before.

Grimoire, can you do anything about him? I ask desperately.

Nope.

Simple and to the point. His denial is a wall of stone. Lovely. I always wanted a spectral stalker who sings nursery rhymes.

The hospital is bustling, with people rushing both in and out.

Again, Vester hadn’t said much. The key words were: vampires, ambush, several injured and/or dead.

At the entrance, I nearly collide with a young man carrying bloody bandages. It takes a second to realize it’s Wes.

"Where’s Lucas?" I demand.

"The biggest room, Luna." His eyes dart nervously to the ghost hovering behind me, then to Eleanor. "The beta’s there too. Do you need—? No? I’m here if you need anything!"

His shout follows behind me as I shove my way through the crowd.

"So many broken puppies," the ghost coos.

Eleanor’s still with me, I think. If she isn’t, Vester will take care of her.

Not bothering to knock, I slam the door open and rush inside.

Lucas stands with his back to me, his shoulders tense as he speaks with Vanessa. Kellan’s the one on a hospital bed this time, his torso heavily bandaged, face pale, and eyes alert. Lisa hovers beside him, one hand clutching his, the other resting protectively on his shoulder. She looks up when I enter, and she looks... terrible.

Shadows under her eyes. A pale line around her lips. Something dark and grim in her face.

"Ava," Lucas says, turning at the sound of the door. The moment our eyes meet, something inside me uncoils. He’s alive. He’s safe.

I already knew, but—it’s still good to see it for myself.

He crosses the room in three long strides and pulls me into a crushing embrace, burying his face in my hair. I melt against him, breathing in his scent of amber and campfire smoke, letting it settle my frayed nerves.

"You’re okay," he murmurs against my ear.

"You’re the one who was fighting vampires," I whisper back, my voice breaking. "I just picked up strays."

Speaking of which—the ghost twirls into the room with a flourish, floating up to the ceiling and continuing his creepy ballet above our heads. Eleanor steps in behind me, her eyes wide as she takes in the scene.

Lucas stiffens, his arms tightening around me as he notices our companions. "Ava," he says slowly, "who are your friends?"

Guess Vester didn’t give him a heads-up.

Then again... how does one explain the ghost?

I pull back just enough to meet his gaze. "It’s a long story."

"The Alpha’s mate!" the ghost shrieks with delight, swooping down so close to Lucas that he flinches back instinctively. "The wolf who killed his father for power! But you didn’t, did you? The rumors lie, lie, lie like little dead things on the ground!"

My mate’s eyes narrow dangerously. "What the hell is that?"

"A ghost, apparently," I say, feeling a headache building behind my eyes. "He followed us from the perimeter. We can’t touch him, and he won’t leave."

"And her?" Lucas nods toward Eleanor, who clutches her journal tighter.

"Yes," Lucas answers simply. 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

I heard some humans don’t really understand packs, so it would make sense—but it’s a little disappointing.

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