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.

nipping at our heels. Anxiety spikes my pulse and I cling to Lucas, drawing

and Lucas‘ head whips around. He signals to the

1. us.

crackles in the air, thick and palpable, as

hold its breath

13.08

217

Ava: Running

in this agonizing

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

me down and steps forward, planting

down,” he growls, his voice laced

pause. For a long, tense moment, they regard each other, locked

lowers its head

it a second glance. He turns back to me, his

rogue,” he says, like that’s nothing.

lets me down.

13:08

3/7

77 Ava: Running

better time if you

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

howl. I nod.

grimaces. “They still haven’t caught our trail, but they’re getting closer. We’re still five miles

squeezing it in reassurance. My lips quirk into a small smile as I squeeze

this. I have

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

Freedom.

every stride, fueling my legs to push harder, faster. The men

10.08

77 Ava Running

Lucas warns, his

concern.

for a reply. Selene’s words ring in my ears, a

it sound like it would be

if I

And it is.

beneath my skin, like electricity crackling through

I say, knowing deep inside that I’m

pulling me -to an abrupt halt. His eyes bore

Sᴇaʀch Thᴇ FɪndNovᴇl.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access

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

finally, he nods.