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.

echoing through the trees, the sound itself nipping at our heels. Anxiety

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

1. us.

the air, thick and palpable,

to hold

13.08

217

77 Ava: Running

in this agonizing

like

he sets me down

down,” he growls, his voice laced with an

pause. For a long, tense moment, they regard each other, locked in a silent battle of

fades, and it lowers its

back to me, his expression softening ever so

he says,

pushing at his arms until he lets me down. “I can’t shift, but I can run. I’m fine. We’ll

13:08

3/7

77 Ava: Running

if

“Fine. Let’s go. Stay close, Ava. Vester will stay on your other side. We’ll keep

I nod.

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

it in reassurance. My lips quirk

I

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 floor kindles a tiny spark

Freedom.

with every stride, fueling my legs to push harder, faster. The men

10.08

77 Ava Running

Lucas warns, his brow furrowed with

concern.

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

sound like it would be

if I

And it is.

a thrumming beneath my skin, like electricity crackling

knowing deep inside that I’m right. “We’ll be faster if you

pulling me -to an abrupt halt.

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

blur of shadows and silence. It’s just us, our

finally, he nods.