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.

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

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

1. us.

crackles in the air, thick and palpable, as

forest seems to hold its breath with

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217

Ava: Running

this agonizing

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

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

growls, his voice laced

give it pause.

it lowers its head in

spare it a second glance. He turns back to me, his expression softening ever so slightly as he scoops me up once more.

a rogue,” he says, like that’s

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

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77 Ava: Running

time if you

it. “Fine. Let’s go. Stay

howl. I

haven’t caught our trail, but they’re getting

hand, squeezing it in reassurance. My lips quirk

I have

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 kindles a tiny spark of hope within

Freedom.

men around me struggle to keep pace, their harsh pants filling the air. But I’m just getting started.

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77 Ava Running

yourself,” Lucas warns, his brow furrowed

concern.

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

run. She’d made it sound like it would be

I

And it is.

feel it now, a thrumming beneath my skin,

say, knowing deep inside that

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

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fading into a blur of shadows and silence. It’s just us, our ragged breaths intermingling in the scant space between us.

finally, he nods.