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.

through the trees, the sound itself nipping at our heels. Anxiety spikes my pulse and I cling to Lucas, drawing

and Lucas‘ head whips around. He signals

1. us.

air, thick and palpable, as

The forest seems to hold its breath with

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Ava: Running

in this agonizing moment.

massive wolf, its eyes glowing like embers in the darkness. It snarls, baring wicked

a fluid motion, he sets me down and steps

growls, his voice laced with an

something in Lucas‘ unwavering presence seems to give it pause. For

fades, and it lowers its head

doesn’t spare it a second glance. He turns back to me, his expression softening ever so slightly as he scoops me

rogue,” he says, like that’s nothing.

until he lets me down. “I can’t shift, but I can run. I’m fine.

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77 Ava: Running

if you

thinks better of it. “Fine. Let’s go. Stay close, Ava. Vester will stay on your other side. We’ll

I

but they’re getting closer. We’re still five

in reassurance. My lips quirk into a small smile as I

I have

a distant concern. My heart pounds, but not from exertion–not yet. Terror still grips me,

Freedom.

The men around me struggle to keep pace, their harsh pants filling the air. But I’m just

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77 Ava Running

yourself,” Lucas warns, his brow

concern.

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

She’d made it sound like it would

I

And it is.

my skin, like electricity crackling

deep inside that I’m right. “We’ll

grips my arm, pulling me -to

Sᴇaʀch Thᴇ FɪndNovᴇl.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to

moment, we’re frozen, the world around us fading into a blur of shadows and silence. It’s just us, our ragged breaths intermingling in the scant space

he nods.