Chapter 77 Ava: Running

The haunting howls of wolves echo through the night, sending fear deep into my soul.

I shudder.

The strange shifter with the drugs curses under his breath. "They're on the hunt," he says, his voice low and urgent.

Lucas' arms tighten as he runs. It's not the most comfortable, with all the jostling, but he manages to run while holding me as though my extra burden doesn't affect him at all.

How long has it been? Hours? That he's maintained his pace without faltering. I can't help but admire it, even as I worry.

"It's going to be okay," he murmurs, his tone cold with determination.

We pick up the pace, the shadows of the forest seeming to press in around us as we hurry along. The howls grow louder, closer, sending icy tendrils of fear slithering through my veins.

"How much farther?" I ask, my voice a hushed whisper.

Lucas' subordinate's response is grim. "Too far to be comfortable." There are a few grunts of agreement among the other wolves. "We should have shifted. We would be there by now."

Lucas just growls. "Not an option."

The weight of his words settles over me, and I realize with a pang that he knows—he knows I can't shift.

I swallow hard. How long has he known?

It isn't as though it was a secret in our pack.

But it still hurts.

our heels. Anxiety spikes

Lucas' head whips around. He signals to the others, and they fan

in the air, thick and palpable, as we wait. The forest seems

the shadows—a massive wolf, its eyes glowing like embers

doesn't flinch. With a fluid motion, he sets me down and steps forward,

he growls, his voice laced with

to give it pause. For

the wolf's snarl fades, and it lowers its head

He turns back to me, his expression softening ever so slightly as he scoops me

he says,

me down. "I can't shift, but

"Fine. Let's go.

howl. I

trail, but they're getting closer. We're

quirk into a small smile as I

My heart pounds, but not from exertion—not yet. Terror still grips me, its icy tendrils constricting my lungs with every rasping breath. But each footfall on the forest floor kindles

Freedom.

The men around me struggle to keep pace, their harsh pants filling the air. But I'm just getting

yourself," Lucas warns, his brow

to spare the breath for a reply. Selene's words

it sound like it would be extraordinary

And it is.

feel it now, a thrumming beneath my skin,

deep inside

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