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.

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

a rustling sound comes from our left, and Lucas‘ head whips around. He signals to the others, and they fan out,

1. us.

crackles in the air, thick

hold its breath with us.

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77 Ava: Running

this

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

me down

his voice laced with an unmistakable

seems to give it pause. For a long, tense moment, they

lowers its head in a grudging show of

turns back to me, his expression softening ever so slightly as he scoops me up once

says, like that’s nothing.

me down. “I can’t shift, but

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77 Ava: Running

if

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

I nod.

haven’t caught our trail, but they’re getting closer. We’re still five miles out.”

reassurance. My lips quirk into a small

this. I have to.

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

Freedom.

to push harder, faster. The men

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77 Ava Running

yourself,” Lucas warns, his brow furrowed

concern.

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

She’d made it sound

if I did.

And it is.

my skin, like electricity crackling through my veins.

say, knowing deep inside that I’m right.

my arm, pulling me -to an abrupt

swirling in their golden depths–disbelief, confusion, worry. Sᴇaʀch Thᴇ FɪndNovᴇl.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the

into a blur of shadows and silence. It’s just us,

finally, he