Unshift

201 Ava: Steve (1)

Steve taps her pen against her lips as the kid from the reception desk leans in to whisper something in her car. I can’t make out the words, but whatever he says makes Steve’s eyebrows shoot up @

She nods slow; her gaze flicking back to me with renewed intensity

Shifting uncomfortably in my chair, I glance at Kellan. What I want is reassurance, but instead I notice the tense set of his jaw, the new wrinkles around the corners of his eyes, and a slight tie in his

cheek.

It’s a subtle tell, but one I recognize. He’s on edge.

And that’s when it hits me. Kellan may be willing to work with these people, but that doesn’t mean he trusts them. It doesn’t mean they’re on our side.

Who are these strange, unsettling children?

I swallow hard, my mouth gone dry. Kellan’s tension is contagious, seeping into my own muscles, coiling them tight.

What’s going on, Ava?

Selene’s mental voice is too soft, probably from the distance

between us.

Things are weird here, Selene.

I don’t feel like we’re in danger, but there’s definitely something that leaves me unsettled, with chills rushing down my back and

arms.

201 Ava: Steve (1)

Her worry carries through the bond between us. Be careful, Ava,

Straightening in my chair, I take a deep breath. Then another. If Kellan brought me here, there’s a reason for it. Lucas trusts him. I

do, too.

My attention snaps back to Steve as she asks me a question. Copyright Nôv/el/Dra/ma.Org.

“How long have you been in contact with the Fae, Ava?”

“Fae?”

Thrown off–balance by her bizarre question, I turn to Kellan,

whose jaw tightens even further, then back to Steve.

The pink–haired girl leans forward, elbows propped on the desk as she peers into my eyes with unsettling intensity. A wave of dizziness washes over me, and I fight the urge to retch.

“I’ve never had any contact with the Fae,” I manage, averting my gaze. The nausea subsides almost immediately.

Steve’s expression remains skeptical. “Only Fae magic could interfere with a wolf’s hearing like that.”

Glancing back, the nausea returns at eye contact, and I look away again. “I swear, I’ve never interacted with any Fae.”

After a long moment, Steve sits back. “Alright, I’ll take your denial at face value. For now.”

Kellan clears his throat. “Can you look into the call? Find out where it came from?”

Steve shrugs, her demeanor nonchalant. “I can try, but no

guarantees.”

14:52

26

201 Avs Steve (th

Kellan extends his hand towards me, and I blink, realizing belatedly that he wants my phone. After fumbling in my pocket, I retrieve it and place it into his palm, watching as he passes it to Steve.

She arches an eyebrow.

“I don’t need the actual phone to check the call,” she says, her tone

almost amused.

Heat rises to my cheeks as embarrassment mingles with the lingering nausea. Once prompted, I mumble my phone number, watching as Steve’s fingers fly across the keyboard. The room falls silent save for the clacking of keys.

Minutes crawl by, and my skin itches from waiting.

Shifting to sit more comfortably on the chair, my head twinges, a dull ache settling behind my eyes.

“Got it,” Steve announces, shattering the silence. “The call came from the general area of Dakota Sanctuary”

Kellan and I exchange a confused glance, but Steve continues before we can question her.

“Your lot prefers ‘Unregistered city! I believe.

The name sends a chill down my spine. Dakota Sanctuary. It sounds almost mystical, a far cry from the ominous reputation of the Unregistered city.

“You’re sure?” Kellan asks, leaning forward.

Steve nods. “As sure as I can be. It’s hard, though. That area is a dead zone for most technology to access. Intentionally so.”

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201 Ava: Blove (0)

“Thank you” I say to Steve, my gratitude genuine despite my unease. “For your help”

She waves a dismissive hand. “Don’t mention it. Seriously, don’t. I have a reputation to maintain”

A bark of laughter escapes Kellan, and even I manage a weak smile. In this world of wolves and magic, it seems even children have images to uphold.

We take our leave, stepping out into the harsh glare of daylight. The warehouse seems even more derelict after the bright

ambience of the basement office.

“Why did you bring us here?” I ask Kellan as he slides into the

driver’s seat of our SUV,

“I wanted to make sure the caller was really from the city. We now have a tangible link to the city. This gives Lucas a little traction with the Council” He glances at me with a frown. “Buckle up, Have you called him?”

“Not yet. I tried last night and this morning, but no answer”

“He won’t risk bringing attention to you” Pulling out of the dilapidated parking lot, he checks his phone for a second before setting it in the console between us. “Text him for me. Tell him that he needs to call me if he can’t call you”

“If he can call you, why wouldn’t he call me?” Vague irritation stirs in my belly, but it’s doused with his response.

“They can hear you over the phone, He doesn’t want anyone questioning your existence or looking into you?

Right.

Because there’s enough trouble after me.

[AVA: Kellan needs you to call him, if you can’t call me.]

[AVA: Also, I miss you. I know you’re busy. Call me when you can.] [AVA: And get some sleep and make sure you’re eating.]

Leaving my phone on our conversation screen, I wait, but after a minute there’s still no indication of him reading the messages.

“Don’t be upset,” Kellan says, glancing in my direction as he drives. *Council meetings can usually go for days as they all argue over stupid details. An emergency Council meeting like this is only going to be worse.”

I shake my head as I turn off my display. “I’m not upset.”

His silence sounds doubtful, which probably makes no sense, but it does.

“I’m really not upset. Lucas is the alpha. There are a lot of

responsibilities that come with his position. I just don’t want him to worry.” With all the secrets I’ve held from him before, I’m surprised he lets me out of his sight at all.

He tends toward overbearing, only backing off when I complain. “That’s good, then.”