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.

our heels. Anxiety spikes my pulse and I cling to Lucas, drawing strength from his solid presence.

Lucas‘ head whips around. He signals

1. us.

the air, thick

The forest seems to hold its breath with us.

13.08

217

Ava:

in this

its eyes glowing like embers

Lucas doesn’t flinch. With a fluid motion, he sets me down and steps forward, planting himself between

he growls, his voice laced with

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

lowers its head in a grudging show

He turns back to me, his expression

says, like that’s nothing.

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

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77 Ava: Running

make better time if you aren’t

but he thinks better of it. “Fine. Let’s go. Stay close, Ava. Vester will stay

howl. I nod. “Okay.”

“They still haven’t caught our trail, but they’re getting

it in reassurance. My lips quirk into a small

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

Freedom.

word echoes through my mind with every stride, fueling my legs to push harder, faster. The men around me struggle to keep pace, their harsh pants

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77 Ava Running

warns, his

concern.

breath for a reply. Selene’s words ring in

She’d made it sound like it

if I did.

And it is.

thrumming beneath my skin, like electricity crackling

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

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

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

finally, he nods.