Tangled

80 Ava: Moonlight and Peace

The stench of blood and death clings to my skin, my clothes, invading my senses with its coppery tang.

Yet the moon spreads its light over my face, blessing me with its ethereal glow. It’s surreal, an entire world away from the violence.

I laugh as my mind wanders into memories of science class. Of planets and space.

The moon truly is an entire world away. Thirty whole worlds, in fact, would fit between here and the bright satellite that decorates our night.

Thanks, Mr. Finnegan. I always did like science.

The dead weight pinning me to the ground and obstructing a lungful of air is yanked off me, just as strong arms encircle me, pulling me upright. Lucas. His human face swims into view, those striking golden

eyes

filled with concern as he looks me over. I can see his lips moving, but his words are muffled, as if

reaching me through a thick fog.

It’s not until his calloused palm cups my cheek that the

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80 Ava Moonlight and Peace

numbness shatters. A strangled cry escapes my lips as agony lances through my abdomen. All my wounds come to life in an instant, informing me of their

presence.

“Ava? Ava, can you hear me?” Lucas’s voice breaks. through the screams of my injuries, his tone laced with

urgency.

Answering is impossible, so I give a weak nod, my gaze flickering to the gruesome scene behind him. Lifeless wolves litter the forest floor, their bodies twisted and mangled.

The price of freedom.

Even knowing that they wouldn’t reciprocate the sentiment, their lives weigh heavy on my soul.

“We need to move,” Lucas says, still supporting me. “Can you walk?”

The world spins with every movement I make, so I just blink at him. I can’t shake my head. If I do, it just might fall off.

Without another word, Lucas scoops me into his arms, cradling me against his bare chest as he rises to his

feet.

BD

Moonlight

I croak.

“No time.”

tenses. His grip on me holds tight

missing, and a pang of fresh guilt

was never

abuse.

still be

have a

Family?

Friends?

who will wonder

steady against my cheeks, burning and stinging against fresh

his breath coming in harsh pants. “We need to hurry.”

11:

Moonlight

a question. Pack links are so convenient, and yet

one.

enter my mind has been

she appeared, I never had a link with my

by wounded wolves. Seeing over his shoulder, I can see the bloody prints left by foot and

running. Sᴇaʀᴄh thᴇ FɪndNovᴇl.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early

For me.

the wounds shrieking in -agony

a white SUV, and the

come

as he digs through the backpack he’d carried from the ambush site, hunting for the keys. It takes a minute or two, as howls rend the air.

telltale unlocking clicks have them

13.11

Ava: Moonlight

sets me in the back gently.

a pair of pants and hops into the seat beside me, apologizing as he shoves a

I try not

1. it.

would be pathetic to whine when they lost one of

their own.

driver’s seat, fully

most shifters learn after a few

the SUV roars to

of a new

head lolls against the seat, boneless now that I’m in a safe place. Beside me, one of

remember anymore. Everything’s a little fuzzy. I think I might be melting into a puddle of Ava goo, because nothing seems to be working right

little” the unrecognizable

Ava Moonlight and Peace

at my

force myself to remain still, not wanting to make his task any more difficult. Focusing on the astringent scent of alcohol keeps me centered and present, even as my mind keeps trying to run away into a hazy white world devoid

a low, rumbling growl. Vester growls

your eyes on the road, or pull over and let me drive,” he snaps. “You