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.

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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.

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

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

1. us.

the air, thick

forest seems to hold its breath with

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77 Ava:

in this

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

Lucas doesn’t flinch. With a fluid motion, he sets me down and steps forward, planting himself between the wolf

voice laced with an unmistakable

its hackles raised, but something in Lucas‘ unwavering presence seems to give it pause. For a long, tense moment, they regard each other,

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

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

says, like

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

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77 Ava: Running

better time if you

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

I nod. “Okay.”

our trail, but they’re getting closer. We’re still five miles

it in reassurance. My lips quirk

this. I have

running, the 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

Freedom.

through my mind with every stride, fueling my legs to push harder, faster. The men around me struggle to keep pace,

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77 Ava Running

his

concern.

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

it sound like it would be

if I

And it is.

feel it now, a thrumming beneath my skin,

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

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

depths–disbelief, confusion, worry. Sᴇaʀch Thᴇ FɪndNovᴇl.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels

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

he nods.