Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

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."

death, and Lucas tenses. His grip on me holds tight as he breaks into a run, his long strides eating up the

wolves is missing, and a pang of

Someone who was

should still be

have a

Family?

Friends?

does he have pups who will wonder why

against my cheeks, burning and stinging against fresh

Lucas grunts, his breath coming

Pack links are so convenient, and yet I've never

been Selene, and for a brief moment,

she appeared, I never had a

naked, followed by wounded wolves. Seeing over his shoulder,

injured, and still

For me.

aches more than the wounds shrieking in agony with every jarring step

approach a white SUV, and the

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

all breathing in relief, and Lucas sets me

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

hurts like fucking hell, but I

to whine when they lost one of their

shifters learn after a

the seat, boneless now that I'm in a safe place. Beside me, one of the unfamiliar shifters rummages through a medical kit, retrieving supplies to tend to my

I think I might be melting into a puddle of Ava goo, because nothing