Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 80

Chapter 80 Ava: Moonlight and Peace

The stench of blood and death clings to my skin, my clothes, invading my senses with its coppery tang.

Yet the moon spreads its light over my face, blessing me with its ethereal glow. It's surreal, an entire world away from the violence.

I laugh as my mind wanders into memories of science class. Of planets and space.

The moon truly is an entire world away. Thirty whole worlds, in fact, would fit between here and the bright satellite that decorates our night.

Thanks, Mr. Finnegan. I always did like science.

The dead weight pinning me to the ground and obstructing a lungful of air is yanked off me, just as strong arms encircle me, pulling me upright. Lucas. His human face swims into view, those striking golden eyes filled with concern as he looks me over. I can see his lips moving, but his words are muffled, as if reaching me through a thick fog.

It's not until his calloused palm cups my cheek that the numbness shatters. A strangled cry escapes my lips as agony lances through my abdomen. All my wounds come to life in an instant, informing me of their presence.

"Ava? Ava, can you hear me?" Lucas's voice breaks through the screams of my injuries, his tone laced with urgency.

Answering is impossible, so I give a weak nod, my gaze flickering to the gruesome scene behind him. Lifeless wolves litter the forest floor, their bodies twisted and mangled.

The price of freedom.

Even knowing that they wouldn't reciprocate the sentiment, their lives weigh heavy on my soul.

"We need to move," Lucas says, still supporting me. "Can you walk?"

The world spins with every movement I make, so I just blink at him. I can't shake my head. If I do, it just might fall off.

Without another word, Lucas scoops me into his arms, cradling me against his bare chest as he rises to his feet.

"Wait," I croak. "Clothes."

"No time."

grip on me holds

wolves is missing, and a

innocent. Someone who was never involved

should still

he have a

Family?

Friends?

who will wonder

against my cheeks, burning and stinging

coming in harsh pants. "We need to

must have asked him a question. Pack links are so convenient, and yet

been Selene, and for a brief moment,

she appeared, I never

naked, followed by wounded wolves. Seeing over his shoulder, I can see the bloody prints left by

injured, and still

For me.

wounds shrieking

approach a white SUV, and the other

backpack he'd carried from the ambush site, hunting for the keys. It takes a minute or

telltale unlocking clicks have them all breathing in relief,

into the seat beside me, apologizing as he shoves a shirt against my abdomen, soaking up the

hell, but I try

be pathetic to whine when

the driver's seat, fully dressed within seconds—a talent most shifters learn after a few naked shift-backs—and the SUV roars to life

a safe place. Beside me, one of the unfamiliar shifters rummages through a medical kit,

a little fuzzy. I think I might be melting into a puddle of Ava goo, because

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