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 strength from his solid

around. He signals to the others, and they fan

1. us.

thick and palpable, as we

forest seems to hold its breath with

13.08

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77 Ava:

this agonizing

from the shadows–a massive wolf, its eyes glowing like embers in the

me down and steps forward, planting himself between the wolf

growls, his voice laced

wolf hesitates, its hackles raised, but something in Lucas‘ unwavering presence seems to give it pause.

fades, and it lowers its head

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

rogue,” he says, like that’s

me down.

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77 Ava: Running

time if

of it. “Fine. Let’s go.

I

but they’re getting closer. We’re still five miles out.”

quirk into a small smile as I

this. I have to.

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 hope within

Freedom.

harder, faster. The men around me struggle

10.08

77 Ava Running

Lucas warns, his

concern.

spare the breath for a reply. Selene’s words ring in my

made it sound

if I did.

And it is.

it now, a thrumming beneath my skin, like electricity crackling

knowing deep inside that I’m right. “We’ll be faster if you do.”

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

worry. Sᴇaʀch Thᴇ FɪndNovᴇl.nᴇt website on

we’re frozen, the world around us fading into a blur of shadows

he