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.

trees, the sound itself nipping at our heels. Anxiety spikes my pulse and I cling to Lucas, drawing strength from

head whips around. He signals to the others,

1. us.

crackles in the air, thick

The forest seems to hold

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217

Ava: Running

this agonizing

massive wolf, its eyes glowing like embers in

down and steps forward, planting himself

voice laced with an unmistakable

its hackles raised, but something in Lucas‘ unwavering presence seems to give it pause.

it lowers its head in a grudging show of submission.

me, his expression

says, like that’s

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

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77 Ava: Running

better time if you aren’t holding

“Fine. Let’s go. Stay close, Ava. Vester will

howl. I

caught our trail, but they’re getting closer.

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

this. I have to.

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

Freedom.

mind with every stride, fueling my legs to push harder, faster. The men around

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77 Ava Running

yourself,” Lucas warns, his brow furrowed with

concern.

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

She’d made it sound

I

And it is.

thrumming beneath my skin,

deep inside that I’m right. “We’ll

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

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

finally, he