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.

grow louder still, echoing through the trees, the sound itself nipping at our heels. Anxiety spikes

sound comes from our left, and Lucas‘ head whips around. He signals to the others, and

1. us.

thick and

hold its breath with

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77 Ava:

this agonizing

a figure emerges from the shadows–a massive wolf, its eyes glowing like embers in the darkness. It snarls, baring

me down and steps forward,

his voice laced with

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

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

He turns back to me, his expression softening

says, like that’s

arms until he lets me down. “I can’t shift, but I can run. I’m fine. We’ll

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77 Ava: Running

make better time if you aren’t

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

I nod. “Okay.”

trail, but they’re getting closer. We’re

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

I have

Terror still grips me, its icy tendrils

Freedom.

fueling my legs to push harder, faster. The men around

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77 Ava Running

warns, his

concern.

reply. Selene’s words ring

She’d made it sound like it would

I

And it is.

thrumming beneath my skin, like electricity crackling through my

shift,” I say, knowing deep inside that I’m right. “We’ll be faster

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

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

of shadows and silence. It’s just

he nods.