Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted novel 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."

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify