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.

nipping at our heels. Anxiety spikes my pulse

whips around. He signals to

1. us.

in the air, thick and

seems to hold its breath with us.

13.08

217

Ava: Running

this

wolf, its eyes glowing like embers in the darkness.

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

his voice laced with an

it pause. For a long,

fades, and it lowers

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

says,

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

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77 Ava: Running

better time if

Let’s go. Stay close, Ava. Vester will stay

I

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

squeezing it in reassurance. My lips quirk into a small smile as I squeeze back. I can

I have to.

distant concern. My heart pounds, but not from exertion–not yet. Terror still grips me, its icy tendrils

Freedom.

with every stride, fueling my legs to push harder, faster. The men around me struggle to keep pace, their harsh pants filling the air.

10.08

77 Ava Running

Lucas warns, his brow furrowed with

concern.

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

made it sound like it would

if I did.

And it is.

thrumming beneath my skin, like electricity crackling through my

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

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

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

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

he