Tangled

282 Ava: A Meeting of Allies

Dr. Blackwell-or, as Lisa calls him, the Grand Sage-holds out his hand for a very human handshake, his eyes twinkling in my direction. "It is good to finally meet you, Ava Grey. I've heard so much about you" From who?

"Hello," I offer cautiously, despite knowing he's one of the good ones. His handshake is firm, event if his hand is as small as a child's.

"It will be good for magic to flourish once again," he continues, and I blink.

"Excuse me?"

Dr. Blackwell's words hang in the air, and I'm not sure how to respond. Magic flourishing? What does that even mean? Before I can formulate a coherent question, Kellan clears his throat.

"I apologize for the delay in bringing Dr. Blackwell," he says, his voice oddly stiff.

Lisa's reply is equally stilted. "It's okay."

Their awkward exchange is so unnatural that I have to fake a cough to hide my amused smile. Despite the gravity of our situation, it's almost comical to see them dance around each other like this.

His expression turns serious as he continues. "I was discussing recent events with Dr. Blackwell. The Westwood Pack is caught in the middle of an incredible war that will change our world." Everyone nods solemnly; there's no surprise here.

Still, my stomach twists with anxiety as we put it into words.

He continues, "Dr. Blackwell has shed more light on the incident where Delta Ryder's force was nearly obliterated after their first retreat. While he was not the only one to deal with a secondary attack, it was the worst of them. We lost all but fifteen of them."

I notice Lisa stiffen at the mention of the incident. She did mention Ryder, she must be thinking of Mia and Chloe and their betrayal. Kellan places his hands on her shoulders, giving them a gentle squeeze. "Two shifters have been confirmed as traitors," Kellan explains to Marcus and Vanessa, his voice low and grim. "But more exist within the packs."

Neither of them seem surprised; they must have already been briefed on the situation here. The healer just sighs, looking as though she's aged ten years since I saw her earlier.

Marcus, on the other hand, turns his attention to Lisa. "Speaking of trust, I must question the human's presence here.

My hackles rise immediately, and I can't help but bristle at his regard of my best friend. I struggle to keep my expression neutral as everyone's gaze flicks between Lisa and me. Kellan watches me calmly, but I can see the veins in his arms popping from how tensely he's

282 Ava: A Meeting of Allies

"Lisa is trustworthy, I state firmly, meeting Marcus's eyes.

Marcus shakes his head. "Her trustworthiness isn't the issue, but her status as an advisor is."

I take a deep breath, trying to calm the frustration bubbling in my veins. "The number of people we can truly trust is already low. We shouldn't alienate Lisa just because she's human." Marcus inclines his head. "Understood, Luna:

Kellan regards me thoughtfully, his dark eyes hiding whatever thoughts are going on inside his head. As he continues, Lisa leans back against him. "As for the situation within the Westwood Pack since Lucas has been... incapacitated as alpha... He pauses, and I feel my heart clench at the mention of Lucas. "It's been almost impossible to keep alpha challenges at bay. It's only going to get worse now that Ava is here and he is still absent from his role:

Alpha challenges.

The blood drains from my face. Lucas is in no shape to be challenged. With his wolf gone, he's as good as dead.

"Who wants to challenge him?" My fear takes a sharp left to anger. How dare they? After everything Lucas has done for his pack, after risking his life to save others... Now, he has to worry about alpha challenges?

Kellan meets my gaze, steady and calm. "Almost every wolf."

Shit.

ried!

I've examined Alpha, Vanessa cuts in, sounding worried. "His healing rate is abysmal. It's human-rate. There are so many theories, the doctors are in knots. They think he's cursed somehow, but no one knows if it's even possible.

"It is possible," Dr. Blackwell says, unperturbed as several eyes cut in his direction, including mine.

"What kind of curse? What does it entail?"

The old gnome shakes his frail-seeming head. "I do not know such details. However, I am aware of curses befalling several of Lycan lineage in history, weakening their rule"

"What happened to them?" I ask, desperate for good news.

Stroking his silken white beard, he looks thoughtful. "I am no historian, but I believe all met with an unhappy end

The silence following his words has him startled, and he follows up quickly. "That is not to say there is no hope. Sister Miriam may be of more help in this scenario."

-Biting my lip, I turn to Kellan. "Where is she? When will she be back?"

We need to cut this new complication off at its head somehow. I refuse to lose Lucas to some barbaric ritual of power usurpation. He is the alpha of the Westwood Pack. As soon as his strength retur "No one knows. She comes and goes as she pleases."

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Damn it.

"Why don't you contact her?" Dr. Blackwell asks, staring at me with clear, guileless eyes.

Frowning, I shake my head. "No one's phones are working. And even if they were, I don't have her phone number!"

"Oh! We don't need her number!" Vanessa brightens. "We have that communication ball from Magister Orion." Setting her healer's pack on the table, she rummages through it as she talks. "Though, I don't know if you are able to activate it, Ava."

"I have no idea, but trying is better than sitting around and twiddling my thumbs. I've had enough of that for a lifetime."

Lisa grunts, and Kellan squeezes her shoulders. "Are you okay?" he asks, in a whisper so loud that everyone has to pretend they don't hear him. Honestly, the man's practically yelling.

"I'm fine. Just understand what Ava feels like"