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.

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

Lucas‘ head whips around. He signals to the others, and they fan

1. us.

air, thick

seems to hold its breath with

13.08

217

Ava: Running

this agonizing

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

sets me down and steps forward, planting

he growls, his voice

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

the wolf’s snarl fades, and it lowers its head in a

turns back to me, his expression softening ever so slightly

a rogue,” he says, like that’s

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

13:08

3/7

77 Ava: Running

better time if you aren’t

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

I

grimaces. “They still haven’t caught our trail, but they’re getting closer. We’re

quirk into a small

this. I have

ache in 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

Freedom.

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 brow furrowed

concern.

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

run. She’d made it sound

I

And it is.

now, a thrumming beneath my skin, like

inside that I’m right.

pulling me -to an

Thᴇ FɪndNovᴇl.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the

of shadows and silence. It’s just

he nods.