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

and a pang of fresh guilt hits my

innocent. Someone who was

still

he have

Family?

Friends?

he have pups who will

my cheeks, burning and

his breath coming in harsh pants.

asked him a question. Pack links are so convenient, and yet I've never had access

to enter my mind has been Selene, and for a

after she appeared, I never had a

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

injured, and still

For me.

aches more than the wounds shrieking in agony with every

white SUV, and the other

in frustration as he digs through the backpack he'd carried from the ambush site, hunting for the keys. It takes a

in relief, and Lucas sets

on a pair of pants and hops into the seat beside me, apologizing as he shoves a shirt against my abdomen, soaking up

hurts like fucking hell, but I try not to whine

would be pathetic to whine when

talent most shifters learn after a few naked shift-backs—and the SUV roars to life with all the

in a safe place. Beside me, one of the unfamiliar shifters rummages through a medical kit, retrieving supplies to tend to my wounds. The other two ran to a

be melting into a puddle of Ava goo, because nothing seems

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