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

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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.

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

left, and Lucas‘ head whips around. He signals to the others, and they fan out, forming a protective

1. us.

in the air, thick and

The forest seems to hold its breath with

13.08

217

Ava: Running

this agonizing

glowing like embers in the darkness. It

fluid motion, he sets me down

growls, his voice

presence seems to give it pause. For a

snarl fades, and it lowers its head in a

doesn’t spare it a second glance. He turns back to me, his expression softening ever so slightly as he scoops me

a rogue,” he says, like that’s nothing.

pushing at his arms until he lets me down.

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77 Ava: Running

time if you aren’t holding me.”

face says that he wants to protest, but he thinks better of it. “Fine. Let’s go.

howl. I

but they’re getting closer. We’re still

in reassurance. My lips quirk into a small smile

I have

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.

harder, faster. The men around me

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77 Ava Running

Lucas warns, his brow furrowed with

concern.

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

it sound like

if I did.

And it is.

thrumming beneath my skin, like electricity

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

arm, pulling me -to an abrupt halt.

Sᴇaʀch Thᴇ FɪndNovᴇl.nᴇt

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

he nods.