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.

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

around. He signals to the others, and they

1. us.

air, thick and palpable,

hold its breath with us.

13.08

217

77 Ava:

this agonizing moment.

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

sets me down and steps forward, planting himself

voice laced with an unmistakable

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

snarl fades, and it lowers its head

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

rogue,” he says, like that’s

arms until he lets me down. “I can’t shift, but I can run. I’m fine.

13:08

3/7

77 Ava: Running

if you aren’t holding me.”

“Fine. Let’s

I nod. “Okay.”

caught our trail, but they’re getting closer. We’re still five miles

grabs at my hand, squeezing it in reassurance. My lips quirk into a

this. I have

we start running, the ache in my feet 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 spark of

Freedom.

to push harder, faster. The men around me struggle to keep pace, their

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, a

sound like it would

if I

And it is.

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

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

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

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

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

finally, he nods.