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.

377

<

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 our left, and Lucas‘ head whips around. He signals to the others,

1. us.

thick and palpable, as

to hold its breath

13.08

217

Ava: Running

this agonizing moment.

a figure emerges from the shadows–a massive wolf, its eyes glowing like

doesn’t flinch. With a fluid motion, he sets me down

growls, his voice laced

raised, but something in Lucas‘ unwavering presence seems to give it pause. For a long, tense

lowers its head in a grudging show of

second glance. He turns back to me, his expression softening ever so slightly as

says, like that’s nothing.

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

13:08

3/7

77 Ava: Running

time if

wants to protest, but he thinks better of it. “Fine. Let’s go. Stay close, Ava. Vester will stay on your other side. We’ll keep you

I nod.

our trail, but they’re getting closer. We’re still

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

I have

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

Freedom.

push harder, faster. The men around me struggle to keep pace, their harsh

10.08

77 Ava Running

his brow

concern.

reply. Selene’s words ring in my

sound like it would be

if I did.

And it is.

it now, a thrumming beneath my skin,

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

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

their golden depths–disbelief, confusion, worry. Sᴇaʀch Thᴇ FɪndNovᴇl.nᴇt website on

moment, we’re frozen, the world around us fading into a blur of shadows and silence. It’s just us, our

he