Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted novel Chapter 443

Magister Orion looks stunned when he comes into the tent, his swirling eyes landing on the small Fae girl Lucas calls Pip.

"What are you doing here?!" the giant man roars, and the wolves who had followed Lucas on his mission tense. None of them have met the Magister before.

Lucas, to his credit, remains aloof, though his hand tightens on my shoulder. "Do you recognize Pip, Magister?"

Magister Orion's face twists into a scowl. The expression transforms his usually dignified features into something fierce. My heart skips a beat at his thunderous reaction, but he smooths his expression and bows to Lucas with perfect court manners.

"Alpha Westwood. My deepest apologies for my outburst."

Lucas' hand relaxes on my shoulder. The warmth of his touch anchors me as I study Pip's face. Her purple hair seems duller now, less vibrant. Fear and relief war in her expression—but there's something else, easily recognizable. Her jaw is set in what looks an awful lot like defiance.

"This child," Magister Orion says, "is not who she claims to be."

Pip's shoulders hunch. The chains on her clothes jingle as she shifts her weight.

"Her name is Pellonia. She should be safely tucked away in a haven on the other side of the country."

Pip—no, Pellonia—hangs her head.

"So, you know her." Lucas's tone isn't a question.

"Indeed." Magister Orion's eyes swirl faster, betraying his agitation. "And her father will be most displeased to learn she is here."

Pellonia's head snaps up. "You can't tell him!"

"I absolutely can and will, young lady."

The shifters to my left shift uneasily. Magister Orion's massive frame seems to grow even larger, his pointed ears twitching with suppressed emotion. "How long?" he asks.

Pellonia mumbles something unintelligible.

"Speak up, your highness."

My breath catches. Highness? The title rings through the tent like a bell, and suddenly I understand why Magister Orion looks ready to explode.

"Three weeks," the girl says, her voice small but clear.

"Three—" Magister Orion cuts himself off. He pinches the bridge of his nose. "Three weeks. You've been missing for three weeks, and no one thought to inform me?"

"I wasn't missing," she protests. "I left a note!"

"A note." The words drip with sarcasm. "Of course. How thoughtful of you, your highness, to leave a note before vanishing from your safe haven. I'm sure that brought great comfort to your guards when they discovered your absence."

Lucas's fingers flex against my shoulder. "Perhaps we should discuss this somewhere more private."

"Yes," Magister Orion agrees. "We should. Pellonia, come here."

Pellonia doesn't move. Her chains jingle again as she crosses her arms. "I won't go back."

"This is not a negotiation."

"I'm helping the rebellion!"

"You are a child."