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.

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

around. He signals to the others, and they fan out, forming a protective circle around

1. us.

in the air, thick and palpable,

forest seems to hold its

13.08

217

Ava: Running

this

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

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

growls, his voice laced with an unmistakable

but something in Lucas‘ unwavering presence seems to give it pause. For a long, tense moment, they regard each other, locked in a silent battle of wills.

and it lowers its head in a grudging show of submission.

doesn’t spare it a second glance. He turns back to me, his expression

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

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

13:08

3/7

77 Ava: Running

if

Let’s go. Stay

I

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

squeezing it in reassurance. My lips quirk into a small smile

this. I have to.

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

Freedom.

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

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77 Ava Running

warns, his brow furrowed with

concern.

to spare the breath for a reply. Selene’s words ring

made it sound like it would be

I did.

And it is.

beneath my skin, like electricity crackling through

inside that I’m right.

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

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

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

finally, he