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

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

1. us.

thick and palpable, as we

forest seems to hold its breath

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77 Ava:

in this agonizing moment.

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

motion, he sets me down and steps forward, planting

voice laced with an

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

snarl fades, and it lowers its head in a grudging show of submission.

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

says,

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

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77 Ava: Running

make better time if you aren’t holding me.”

of it. “Fine. Let’s go. Stay close, Ava.

I nod. “Okay.”

our trail, but

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

I have

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 hope within me.

Freedom.

with every stride, fueling my legs to push harder, faster. The men around me struggle to keep pace, their

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77 Ava Running

yourself,” Lucas warns, his

concern.

spare the breath for a reply. Selene’s words ring

it sound like

if I did.

And it is.

a thrumming beneath my skin, like electricity crackling

that

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

confusion, worry. Sᴇaʀch Thᴇ FɪndNovᴇl.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of

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

finally, he nods.