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

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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

from our left, and Lucas‘ head whips around. He signals to the others, and they fan out, forming a protective circle around

1. us.

thick

to hold its breath with us.

13.08

217

77 Ava:

this agonizing moment.

eyes glowing like

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

his voice laced with

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

lowers its head in a

second glance. He turns back to me, his expression softening ever so slightly as he scoops me up

rogue,” he says,

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

13:08

3/7

77 Ava: Running

better time if you aren’t holding

Let’s go. Stay

I nod.

but

my hand, squeezing it in reassurance. My lips quirk into a small smile as I squeeze

I have

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 my lungs with every rasping breath. But each footfall on the forest floor kindles a tiny

Freedom.

men around

10.08

77 Ava Running

yourself,” Lucas warns, his brow furrowed

concern.

a reply. Selene’s words ring in my ears,

sound

if I

And it is.

thrumming beneath my skin,

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

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

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

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

finally, he