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.

377

<

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.

heels. Anxiety spikes my pulse and

and Lucas‘ head whips around. He signals to the

1. us.

crackles in the air, thick and palpable, as we

seems to hold its breath with us.

13.08

217

Ava:

this agonizing

like embers

a fluid motion, he sets me down and steps forward, planting himself between the

he growls, his voice laced with an unmistakable command.

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

fades, and it lowers

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

says, like

arms until he lets me down.

13:08

3/7

77 Ava: Running

make better time if you

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

howl. I nod.

but they’re getting

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

I have

Terror still grips

Freedom.

my legs to push harder, faster. The men around me struggle to keep pace, their harsh pants filling

10.08

77 Ava Running

his brow

concern.

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

sound like it would

if I did.

And it is.

can feel it now, a thrumming beneath my skin, like electricity crackling through my veins.

knowing deep inside that I’m right.

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

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

frozen, the world around us fading into a blur of shadows

he