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.

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

from our left, and Lucas‘ head whips around. He signals to

1. us.

thick and palpable, as

to hold

13.08

217

Ava:

this

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

he sets me down

down,” he growls, his voice laced with an unmistakable command.

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

lowers its head in a grudging show of submission.

glance. He turns back to me, his expression

rogue,” he says, like that’s nothing.

pushing at his arms until he lets me down. “I

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77 Ava: Running

better time if

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

howl. I nod. “Okay.”

but they’re getting closer.

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

this. I

still grips me, its icy tendrils constricting my lungs with every rasping breath. But each footfall on the forest floor kindles

Freedom.

harder, faster. The men around me

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77 Ava Running

his brow

concern.

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

made it sound like it would

if I

And it is.

it now, a thrumming beneath my skin, like

knowing deep inside that I’m right.

arm, pulling me -to an abrupt halt. His

Thᴇ FɪndNovᴇl.nᴇt

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

finally, he