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.

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

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

1. us.

in the air, thick and

The forest seems to hold its breath

13.08

217

Ava:

in this

the shadows–a massive wolf, its eyes glowing like embers in the darkness.

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

his voice laced with an unmistakable command.

seems to give it pause. For a long, tense moment, they regard

lowers its head in a

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

a rogue,” he says,

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

13:08

3/7

77 Ava: Running

make better time if

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

I

caught our trail, but they’re getting closer.

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

this. I have to.

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

Freedom.

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 I’m just getting

10.08

77 Ava Running

yourself,” Lucas warns, his

concern.

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

made it sound like it would be

if I did.

And it is.

can feel it now, a thrumming beneath my skin, like electricity

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

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

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

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

he