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

Ava: Moonlight and

I croak.

“No time.”

after so much death, and Lucas tenses. His grip on me

is missing, and a pang

who was never involved

abuse.

should still be

have a mate?

Family?

Friends?

will wonder why Daddy’s

against my cheeks, burning and stinging against fresh

grunts, his breath coming in harsh pants. “We need

11:

Ava Moonlight and

a question. Pack links are so convenient, and yet I’ve never had access

one.

person to enter my mind has been Selene, and for

she appeared, I never had

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

Gøøglᴇ

For me.

the wounds shrieking in -agony with every jarring step

approach a white SUV, and

come to a standstill.

site, hunting for the keys. It takes a minute or

have them all breathing in

13.11

Ava: Moonlight and Peace

sets me

apologizing as he shoves

like fucking hell, but I try not to whine about

1. it.

would be pathetic to whine when they

their own.

slides into the driver’s seat, fully dressed

learn after a few

to

a

head lolls against the seat, boneless now that I’m in a safe place. Beside me, one of the unfamiliar shifters rummages through a medical kit, retrieving supplies to tend to

fuzzy. I think I might be melting into a puddle of Ava

sting a little” the unrecognizable voice

Ava Moonlight

he dabs at my face with

task any more difficult. Focusing on the astringent scent of alcohol keeps me centered and present, even as my mind keeps trying to

out a low, rumbling growl. Vester

the road, or pull over and let me drive,” he snaps. “You need to get those