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.

heels. Anxiety

He signals to the others, and they fan

1. us.

the air, thick and palpable,

hold its

13.08

217

Ava:

in this agonizing moment.

wolf, its eyes glowing like embers in the

he sets me down and

growls, his voice laced with an unmistakable

give it pause.

snarl fades, and it lowers its head in

his expression softening ever so slightly as he scoops me up once more.

he says,

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

13:08

3/7

77 Ava: Running

time if you aren’t

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

I nod. “Okay.”

still haven’t caught our trail, but

lips quirk into a

I have

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

Freedom.

through my mind with every stride, fueling my legs to push harder, faster. The men around me struggle to keep pace, their harsh pants filling the air.

10.08

77 Ava Running

warns, his brow furrowed

concern.

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

it sound like it would be

if I

And it is.

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

say, knowing deep inside that I’m

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

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

blur of shadows and silence. It’s just us, our ragged breaths intermingling in the scant

he nods.