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.

nipping at our heels. Anxiety spikes my

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

1. us.

thick and

seems to hold its breath

13.08

217

Ava:

in this agonizing

shadows–a massive wolf, its eyes glowing like embers

Lucas doesn’t flinch. With a fluid motion, he sets me down and steps forward, planting himself between the

growls, his voice laced

give it pause. For a long, tense moment, they regard each other, locked in a silent battle of

it lowers

his expression softening ever so slightly

rogue,” he says,

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

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77 Ava: Running

time if you aren’t holding

to protest, but he thinks better of it. “Fine. Let’s go. Stay close, Ava. Vester will stay on

I nod. “Okay.”

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

squeezing it in reassurance. My lips quirk into a small smile as

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

Freedom.

men around me struggle to keep

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77 Ava Running

yourself,” Lucas warns, his brow furrowed

concern.

Selene’s words ring in my ears, a silent chorus urging

it sound like it

if I did.

And it is.

thrumming beneath my skin, like electricity

knowing deep inside that

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

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

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

he nods.