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.

through the trees, the sound itself nipping at our heels. Anxiety spikes my pulse and I cling

head whips around. He

1. us.

thick and palpable, as we

hold its

13.08

217

77 Ava: Running

in this agonizing

like

With a fluid motion, he sets me down and

voice

unwavering presence seems to give it pause. For

it lowers its

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

says,

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

13:08

3/7

77 Ava: Running

if you aren’t holding me.”

of it. “Fine. Let’s go. Stay

howl. I nod.

but they’re getting closer.

grabs at my hand, squeezing it in reassurance. My lips quirk into a small smile as

this. I have to.

my feet from the ill–fitting sneakers 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 each footfall on the forest

Freedom.

my legs to push harder, faster. The men around me struggle

10.08

77 Ava Running

warns, his brow

concern.

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

run. She’d made it sound

if I did.

And it is.

my skin, like electricity crackling through my

inside that I’m right. “We’ll be

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

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

we’re frozen, the world around us fading into a blur of shadows and silence.

he nods.