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.

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

He signals to the others, and they

1. us.

the air, thick and

hold its breath with

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217

Ava:

this agonizing

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

sets me down and steps forward, planting himself between

his voice laced with an

pause.

slowly, the wolf’s snarl fades, and it lowers its

it a second glance. He turns back to me, his expression softening ever so slightly

he says,

run,” I say, pushing at his arms until he lets me down. “I can’t shift, but I can

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77 Ava: Running

time if you aren’t holding

“Fine. Let’s go. Stay close, Ava. Vester will stay on

I nod. “Okay.”

trail, but they’re getting closer. We’re still five miles out.”

quirk into a small smile as I squeeze

I

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

Freedom.

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 filling the air. But

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77 Ava Running

yourself,” Lucas warns, his brow

concern.

shake my head, unable to spare the breath for a reply. Selene’s words ring in my ears, a silent

run. She’d made it sound like it would

I did.

And it is.

beneath my skin, like electricity crackling

knowing deep inside that I’m right.

he grips my arm, pulling me -to

of emotions swirling in their golden depths–disbelief, confusion, worry. Sᴇaʀch Thᴇ FɪndNovᴇl.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ

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

finally, he