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.

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

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

1. us.

air, thick and

to hold its breath with

13.08

217

Ava:

this

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

down and steps forward,

his voice laced with

hesitates, its hackles raised, but something in Lucas‘ unwavering presence seems to give it pause. For a long, tense moment, they regard each other, locked in a silent battle

and it lowers its head in a grudging

back to me, his expression softening ever so slightly

says, like that’s nothing.

can run,” I say, pushing at his arms until he lets me down. “I

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77 Ava: Running

make better time if you aren’t holding me.”

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

I nod.

trail, but they’re getting closer.

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

this. I

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

Freedom.

with every stride, fueling my legs to push harder, faster. The men around me struggle to keep

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77 Ava Running

his brow furrowed

concern.

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

it sound like it would

I did.

And it is.

now, a thrumming beneath my

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

stride falters, and he grips my arm, pulling me -to

Sᴇaʀch Thᴇ FɪndNovᴇl.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in

into a blur of shadows and

he