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.

at our heels. Anxiety spikes my pulse and I cling to

and Lucas‘ head whips around. He signals

1. us.

air, thick and palpable,

forest seems to hold its breath with

13.08

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77 Ava:

in this agonizing moment.

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

me down and steps forward, planting himself between the wolf and me.

he growls, his voice laced

pause. For a long, tense moment, they

wolf’s snarl fades, and it lowers its head in a grudging show

back to me, his expression softening ever so slightly as he scoops

he says, like

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

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77 Ava: Running

if you aren’t

it. “Fine. Let’s go. Stay close, Ava. Vester will stay on your other side. We’ll

I

“They still haven’t caught our trail, but

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

I have to.

yet. Terror still grips me, its

Freedom.

push harder, faster. The men around me struggle to keep pace, their harsh pants filling the air. But I’m

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77 Ava Running

yourself,” Lucas warns, his brow furrowed

concern.

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

made it sound like it would be

I

And it is.

it now, a thrumming beneath my skin,

shift,” I say, knowing deep inside that I’m right.

pulling me -to

worry. Sᴇaʀch Thᴇ FɪndNovᴇl.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters

the world around us fading into a blur of shadows and silence. It’s just us, our ragged breaths intermingling in the

finally, he