Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

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.

louder still, echoing through the trees, the sound itself nipping at our heels. Anxiety spikes my pulse and I cling to Lucas, drawing strength from

rustling sound comes from our left, and Lucas' head whips around. He

thick and palpable, as we wait. The forest seems to hold its breath with us, partners

glowing like

he sets me down and steps forward, planting himself between the wolf and

down," he growls, his voice laced

in Lucas' unwavering presence seems to give it pause. For a long, tense moment, they regard each other, locked

lowers

turns back to me, his expression

a rogue," he says, like

say, pushing at his arms until he lets me down. "I can't shift, but I can run. I'm fine. We'll probably make better time if you

he wants to protest, but he thinks better of it. "Fine. Let's go. Stay close, Ava.

I nod.

our trail, but they're

lips quirk into a small smile as I squeeze back. I can do this. I

Terror still grips me, its icy tendrils constricting

Freedom.

harder, faster. The men around me struggle to keep pace, their harsh pants filling

Lucas warns, his brow

to spare the breath for a reply. Selene's words ring in my ears, a silent chorus

made it sound like

And it is.

a thrumming beneath my skin, like

need to shift," I say, knowing deep inside that