Tangled

77 Ava: Running

The haunting howls of wolves echo through the night, sending fear deep into my soul.

I shudder.

The strange shifter with the drugs curses under his breath. “They’re on the hunt,” he says, his voice low and urgent.

Lucas‘ arms tighten as he runs. It’s not the most comfortable, with all the jostling, but he manages to run while holding me as though my extra burden

doesn’t affect him at all.

How long has it been? Hours? That he’s maintained his pace without faltering. I can’t help but admire it, even

as I worry.

“It’s going to be okay,” he murmurs, his tone cold with

determination.

We pick up the pace, the shadows of the forest

seeming to press in around us as we hurry along. The howls grow louder, closer, sending icy tendrils of fear slithering through my veins.

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77 Ava: Running

“How much farther?” I ask, my voice a hushed whisper.

Lucas‘ subordinate’s response is grim. “Too far to be comfortable.” There are a few grunts of agreement among the other wolves. “We should have shifted. We would be there by now.”

Lucas just growls. “Not an option.”

The weight of his words settles over me, and I realize with a pang that he knows–he knows I can’t shift.

I swallow hard. How long has he known?

It isn’t as though it was a secret in our pack.

But it still hurts.

grow louder still, echoing through the trees, the sound itself nipping at our heels. Anxiety spikes my pulse and I cling to Lucas, drawing strength from

around. He signals to the

1. us.

the air, thick and palpable,

seems to hold its breath with

13.08

217

Ava:

in this

its eyes glowing like embers in the darkness. It snarls, baring wicked fangs, I tense.

fluid motion, he sets me down and steps forward,

he growls, his voice laced

presence seems to give it pause. For a

lowers its head in a

a second glance. He turns back to me, his expression softening ever

rogue,” he says, like that’s nothing.

say, pushing at his arms until he lets me down. “I can’t

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77 Ava: Running

make better time if you aren’t holding me.”

“Fine. Let’s go. Stay close,

I nod. “Okay.”

grimaces. “They still haven’t caught our trail, but they’re getting closer. We’re still five miles out.”

grabs at my hand, squeezing it in reassurance. My lips quirk into a small smile as I squeeze back. I

I have to.

start running, the ache in my feet from the ill–fitting sneakers is a distant concern. My heart pounds, but not from exertion–not yet. Terror still grips me, its icy tendrils constricting my lungs with every rasping breath. But each footfall on the forest floor kindles a tiny spark of

Freedom.

faster. The men around me struggle to keep pace, their harsh pants filling the

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77 Ava Running

warns, his brow furrowed

concern.

the breath for a reply. Selene’s words ring in my ears, a silent chorus urging

run. She’d made it sound like it

I

And it is.

feel it now, a thrumming beneath my skin, like electricity crackling through my veins.

say, knowing deep inside that I’m right. “We’ll be faster

falters, and he grips my arm, pulling me -to an abrupt halt. His eyes bore into mine,

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into a blur of shadows and silence.

finally, he