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.

louder still, echoing through the trees, the sound itself nipping at our heels. Anxiety spikes my pulse and I cling to Lucas, drawing

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

1. us.

the air, thick and palpable, as

The forest seems to hold

13.08

217

77 Ava: Running

this agonizing moment.

its eyes glowing like embers in the

a fluid motion, he sets me down and steps forward, planting himself between the wolf and

his voice

raised, but something in Lucas‘ unwavering presence seems to give it pause. For a long, tense moment, they regard

slowly, the wolf’s snarl fades, and it lowers its head in a grudging show of submission.

back to me, his expression softening ever so slightly

says, like that’s

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

13:08

3/7

77 Ava: Running

if you

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

I nod.

grimaces. “They still haven’t caught our trail, but they’re getting closer. We’re

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

this. I have to.

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

Freedom.

legs to push harder, faster. The men

10.08

77 Ava Running

Lucas warns, his

concern.

shake 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 be

if I

And it is.

feel it now, a thrumming beneath my skin,

knowing deep inside that

me -to an abrupt halt. His eyes bore

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

moment, we’re frozen, the world around us fading into a blur of shadows

he nods.