Tangled

76 Ava: Saved

Lucas‘ scent hits me after I’ve already tried to murder him.

An unmistakable blend of the outdoors, of amber and

campfire smoke, of something so uniquely mate that it draws me in even through the pain of our past.

It’s him. He’s here.

The knife clatters from my trembling hand as every muscle in my body goes lax with relief. I’d been so tense, coiled tight like a spring ready to snap, terrified of losing my life tonight. But now Lucas is here.

He came for me.

“Lucas,” I breathe out, hope and prayer all in one, the sound barely more than a whisper. My entire body crumples, overworked in its stress.

He’s really here. I’m not dreaming. He’s not a

hallucination. This is real. Real.

My mate.

My savior.

10:07

76 Ava: Saved Sᴇaʀ*ᴄh the ꜰindNʘvel.ɴet website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

Strong arms wrap around me, drawing me in against an embrace both hard and warm, filled with assurance

and yearning. His hands hold me as if I’m some tender, precious thing, going from my back, up to the back of my head, brushing gently against my hair. He’s dropping kisses over the top of my head, against my eyebrows, then my eyes, whispering my name in a ragged chant before crushing me to him once again.

“Ava. Ava. Sweet Ava. You’re safe now. Shh, it’s okay. I’ve got you, Ava. You’re safe now.” His voice rumbles, vibrating his chest against my cheek. One hand cradles my head, the other runs soothing lines down my back.”

I want to respond. I want to ask him why he’s here. To thank him for coming. To tell him how terrified I was. To explain everything. But only a choked sob comes out as all the emotions of the last few days takes over, gripping my body in a cold–fingered grip of horror and

distress.

Tears pour down my face, soaking into the fabric of his shirt as I cling to him, as if letting him go means I can never see freedom again.

alright, sweetheart. Let it out. I’m here

121

76 Ava Saved

to move,” a shifter

behind him.

to look at him, but Lucas holds my head firmly against his chest, rubbing me in that soothing rhythm as I try with desperate gasps and sobs to gather some semblance of control.

do you need to bring with you?” Lucas asks,

Nothing.

nothing here worth

I’m going to carry you, Ava. We need to

short, choppy movement of my head, blowing out a shuddering breath, then

Another breath out.

legs and lifting me as though I weigh no more than

I’m too heavy. I just lean against him, trying to breathe in a way that sounds less… wet.

76 Ava Saved

he’s talking over his shoulder, so

carries me out of the room, I fight the urge to think about the past–his rejection, my complicated feelings for Clayton, or the tangled web that brought me here. I just want to be a boneless lump

at my consciousness, and I jerk slightly in his

voice. “I think there’s a tracker in

phone out of my pocket and hands it to one of the shifters accompanying

will help conceal your scent for a while,” he explains, before handing me a small pill. “And swallow this. It’s a long–lasting scent diffuser that will make

76 Ava: Saved

you by scent.”

question, trusting Lucas and his team implicitly. The pill leaves a bitter taste in my mouth, but I welcome the added

occurs to me that I had so much suspicion when Clayton came to my rescue, but with Lucas–despite our history–I can feel so comfortable. Comfortable enough to allow myself to be

bonds are crazy like that, I guess.

way, his strides purposeful and determined, and the strange shifter with the scent diffusing drugs is right behind him. Four more

the shadows as we leave the

through the canopy above. The humid summer air is heavy with the scent of earth and foliage. Our footsteps are muffled by the soft ground, but the snapping of twigs and rustling of leaves/betray our passage.

single one of

diffusers

15:08 — .‘

5/8

<76 Ava: Saved

as quickly as stealth allows, weaving through the trees and underbrush. Lucas never falters, his grip on me secure and unwavering. I press my face against his chest, focusing on

him I can walk, but my

we navigate the labyrinth of the forest, putting as much distance as possible between us and the

what feels like hours. Lucas‘ breathing has never faltered, even while carrying

I have to stay here-” there’s agony on his face as he says this, a spasm in his jaw, “–because we have business with

learned enough to