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.

the sound itself nipping at our heels. Anxiety spikes my pulse and I cling to Lucas, drawing strength from his

and Lucas‘ head whips around. He signals to the others, and they fan out, forming a protective circle around

1. us.

the air, thick and palpable,

seems to hold its breath with

13.08

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77 Ava:

this agonizing

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

down and steps forward, planting himself

his voice

raised, but something in Lucas‘ unwavering presence seems to give it pause.

and it lowers its head in a

his expression softening ever so slightly as he scoops me

a rogue,” he says,

me down. “I

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77 Ava: Running

better time if

Let’s go. Stay close, Ava. Vester will

howl. I

but they’re getting closer.

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

this. I

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.

faster. The men around me struggle to

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77 Ava Running

warns, his brow

concern.

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

made it sound like it

I did.

And it is.

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

to shift,” I say, knowing deep inside that I’m right. “We’ll be faster if you

arm, pulling me -to an abrupt halt. His eyes bore

swirling in their golden depths–disbelief, confusion, worry. Sᴇaʀch Thᴇ FɪndNovᴇl.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and

into a blur of shadows and silence. It’s just us, our ragged breaths

finally, he nods.