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 and I cling

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

1. us.

air, thick and palpable, as

to hold its breath

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Ava: Running

this agonizing

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

me down and steps forward, planting himself

he growls, his voice

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

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

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

rogue,” he says, like

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

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77 Ava: Running

if you aren’t

says that he wants to protest, but he thinks better of it. “Fine. Let’s go. Stay close, Ava. Vester will stay on your other side. We’ll keep you

howl. I nod. “Okay.”

haven’t caught our trail, but they’re getting closer. We’re still five miles

hand, squeezing it in reassurance. My lips quirk into a small smile as I squeeze

this. I

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

Freedom.

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

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77 Ava Running

Lucas warns, his brow furrowed

concern.

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

She’d made it sound

I

And it is.

my skin, like electricity crackling through my veins.

knowing deep inside that I’m right.

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

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us fading into a blur of shadows and silence. It’s just us,

he