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.

louder still, echoing through the trees, the sound itself nipping at our heels. Anxiety spikes my pulse and I cling to Lucas, drawing strength from

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

1. us.

in the air, thick and

hold its breath with us.

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77 Ava: Running

this agonizing

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

motion, he sets me down and steps

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

back to me, his expression

a rogue,” he says,

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

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77 Ava: Running

better time if you aren’t

to protest, but he thinks better of it. “Fine. Let’s go. Stay close, Ava. Vester will stay

howl. I

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

lips quirk into a small

I have

a distant 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.

men

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77 Ava Running

his brow

concern.

Selene’s words ring in my ears, a silent chorus urging

sound like

I

And it is.

now, a thrumming beneath my skin, like electricity crackling through

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

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

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of shadows and silence. It’s just us, our ragged breaths intermingling in the

he nods.