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.

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

around. He signals to the others, and they fan

1. us.

crackles in the air, thick and palpable,

to hold its

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77 Ava: Running

in this

wolf, its eyes glowing like embers in the darkness.

flinch. With a fluid motion, he sets me down and steps forward, planting himself between the wolf and me.

he growls, his voice laced with an unmistakable command.

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

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

back to me, his expression softening ever so slightly

says, like that’s

can run,” I say, pushing at his arms until he lets me down.

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77 Ava: Running

make better time if you aren’t

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

I nod.

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

reassurance. My lips quirk into a small smile as I squeeze back.

this. I have

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 of

Freedom.

to push harder, faster. The men around me struggle to keep pace, their harsh pants filling the air. But

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77 Ava Running

his brow furrowed

concern.

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

made it sound like it would

if I did.

And it is.

my skin, like

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

pulling me -to an abrupt halt. His eyes bore into

confusion, worry. Sᴇaʀch Thᴇ FɪndNovᴇl.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ

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

he nods.