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."

peace after so much death, and Lucas tenses. His grip on me holds tight as he breaks into a run, his long strides eating

is missing, and a pang of fresh guilt

who was never

still

have a

Family?

Friends?

have pups who will wonder why

hot and steady against my cheeks,

breath coming in

Pack links are

been

she appeared, I never had a link

over his shoulder, I can see the bloody prints left

and

For me.

wounds shrieking in agony with every jarring

we approach a white SUV, and the other

the backpack he'd carried from the ambush site, hunting for

in relief, and Lucas sets me

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

hurts like fucking hell, but I try not to whine

to whine when they lost one of their

driver's seat, fully dressed within seconds—a talent most shifters learn after a few naked

now that I'm in a safe place. Beside me, one of the

Everything's a little fuzzy. I think I might be melting

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