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.

“It’s alright, sweetheart. Let it out. I’m here

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a shifter I didn’t notice

behind him.

in that soothing rhythm as I try with desperate gasps and sobs to gather some semblance

do you need to bring with you?” Lucas asks, and I shake my head.

Nothing.

here

need to

a short, choppy movement of my head, blowing out a shuddering breath, then filling my lungs again.

Another breath out.

legs and lifting me as though I weigh no more than

heavy. I just

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says, but he’s talking over his shoulder, so I close my eyes

about the past–his rejection, my complicated feelings for Clayton, or the tangled web that brought me here. I just want

a nagging thought tugs at my consciousness, and I

find my voice. “I think there’s a

shifters accompanying us. Without blinking, the strange shifter crushes the device in

is earthy and familiar, very neutral–seeming. “This will help conceal your scent for a while,” he explains, before handing me

76 Ava: Saved

you by scent.”

and his team implicitly. The pill leaves a bitter

Clayton came to my rescue, but with Lucas–despite our history–I can feel so

bonds are crazy like that,

clipped pace. Lucas leads the way, his strides purposeful and determined, and the strange shifter with the

as we

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

a single one of them,

diffusers

15:08 — .‘

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never falters, his grip on me secure and unwavering. I press my face against his chest, focusing on the steady rhythm of his heartbeat and the reassuring strength

tell him I can walk, but my entire body

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

Lucas‘ breathing has never faltered, even while carrying me all

straight to Westwood. I have to stay here-” there’s agony on his face

I’ve learned enough to understand that this