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 and Peace

croak.

“No time.”

His grip on me holds tight as he breaks into a run, his long strides eating up the distance.

a pang of fresh guilt hits my heart.

who was

abuse.

still be

he have a

Family?

Friends?

will wonder why Daddy’s

my cheeks,

in harsh pants. “We need to

11:

Ava Moonlight and

question. Pack links are so convenient,

one.

been Selene, and for

had a

the city naked, followed by wounded wolves. Seeing over his shoulder, I can see the bloody

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

For me.

in

as we approach a

they come

ambush site, hunting for

have them all breathing

13.11

Ava: Moonlight

sets me in the back

pants and hops into the seat beside me, apologizing as he shoves a shirt against my abdomen, soaking up the blood flowing

I

1. it.

pathetic to whine when they

their own.

slides into the driver’s seat, fully

learn

to life with all the

of a new

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

anymore. Everything’s a little fuzzy. I think I might be melting into a puddle of Ava goo,

sting a little” the unrecognizable

Moonlight and

he dabs at my

sensation of sharp prickles and burns intensifying the throbbing ache of my cheeks. Despite the pain, I 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

Lucas lets out a low, rumbling growl. Vester growls in

eyes on the road, or pull over and let me drive,”