Unshift

250 Ava: Clear Her Mind

Stern expression. Narrow eyes. Tight lips.

He thinks I’m about to do something reckless.

My mouth is covered, so I close my eyes and breathe through my nose, drawing oxygen into my lungs and stretching them as far as I can bear, before releasing it all in a single measured breath. One. Two. Three. I count each inhale and exhale, willing my racing pulse to slow.

When I open my eyes again, I meet Marcus‘ gaze. His hand drops from my mouth as he takes a step back, giving me space.

It helps me feel less trapped by the panic fluttering in my heart.

“I’m listening,” I say, my voice steadier than I feel inside. “What do I need to know?”

Marcus holds up my phone, tapping the screen as he stares at me. “First, we can’t trust random phone calls. Anyone could be on the other end of that line, Ava. It could be a trap.”

I bite my lip. “But what if it’s not? What if Lucas and the pack really are in danger? We can’t reach them–doesn’t it lead credence to what she was saying?”

“Then rushing in blindly won’t help them,” Marcus counters. His tone softens slightly. “I know you’re worried. But we need to be smart about this. You can’t run off half–cocked. That’s how you get kidnapped-“I wince. “-or worse.”

Okay. Of course he’s right.

Everything I do is on impulse and instinct, and I don’t have a track record of stellar

decision–making.

So I take another deep breath, ignoring how small I feel when I realize how much I’m still lacking. Being upset over good advice is childish.

Forcing myself to think logically, I take a moment to mull it over.

Of course I can just ask Marcus what to do, but there’s a reason he isn’t throwing orders at me.

Because that’s my job, as his Luna.

So, think it through, Ava. Strange phone call, vague statements, and a voice I don’t recognize.

Wait.

“Why did this phone call get through? We’re in the Fae Ward. It shouldn’t have gotten through to us. It can’t be a Westwood shifter.

His shoulders relax, I hadn’t realized how bunched up they were. “What else?”

The calm encouragement in his voice makes it feel like we’re in a classroom, and I’m responding to a teacher’s prompt.

Odd as it is, it helps my mind clear.

“She asked if I was Alpha Westwood’s mate. She didn’t call me by name, yet she has my number.” He nods. “Good. Keep going.”

“It’s weird Wouldn’t she either call me by name or call me Luna?” That’s what the other wolves

250 Ava: Clear Her Mind

do, when they find out I’m his mate. Even without an official ceremony.

“It’s strange,” he agrees. “Anything else?”

I think back. “She said I can’t trust the Fac.

Another nod.

My eyes widen. “No one in Westwood knows I’m with the Fae. Only Lucas.” Everyone who knew is at Blackwood. “Maybe she’s Blackwood? No. Wait. Any Blackwood wolf would know my name.” And very few know I’m mated to Lucas. “None of this makes sense.”

“Exactly.”

The approval in Marcus‘ voice has my back straightening and my chin lifting with a sense of pride.

“Is there anything else that strikes you from that conversation?”

I pull my brows together, thinking. “I don’t think so. She was cut off in the middle of talking about Lucas…” My voice trails off. “No, she said Alpha. If she’s Blackwood, that might mean Alpha Renard.”

Glancing up, I’m surprised to see his nose wrinkle in disgust. “Just call him Renard. He is no longer Alpha Blackwood.” Belongs © to NôvelDrama.Org.

Ah.

“Right. Renard.” The name feels weird on my tongue, almost naked. But it does make him feel a little less powerful in my memories.

“And nothing else gives you question?” Marcus probes, clearly aiming for something.

I shake my head.

“She said you need to return. That they need you.” He pauses. “You, Ava.”

I tilt my head. “I know, I heard–oh,

Mc.

Why would they need me?

I’m weak; barely stronger than human.

My powers are a secret, and even then, they’re almost useless until I become stronger.

So why would anyone need me to save them?

Wow. Do I have a larger ego than I thought? It didn’t even occur to me to question being begged

to save someone.

“Yes. Oh. He shakes his head. “Their purpose is to draw you out of the city, ostensibly to the pack. But who, and why?”

“We have no way of knowing: Falling back, I stare at the ceiling from the relative comfort of the

38

250 Ava: Clear Her Mind

“We know a little.”

“Right. Someone who might be in the Fae Ward…” I pause. “Wait. No. Someone here in Dakota Sanctuary. Vampire, Fae, gnome–could be any of them.”

“But likely not a shifter,” he points out.

So, almost anyone in this city.

“Lucas couldn’t get anyone into the city when he was trying to get information, but Alpha Re- uh, Renard has ties here. And there are rogues. But what about the Whispering Pines pack?” “There are other supernatural communities and Unregistered cities closer to them,” he points out, though it doesn’t sound like he’s dismissing the possibility.

“Do they work together? Are they friendly?”

He pauses. “I have no idea.”

More information we don’t know. I cover my eyes. “We can ask Magister-”

Marcus makes a soft sound and I sit up, ignoring my dizziness to see his eyes unfocused and face

gat me with a grim expression. “Are you able to slack. Then he returns to the present,

walk downstairs?”

“I think so.”