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

13 11

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.”

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

is missing, and a pang of fresh guilt hits my heart.

Someone who was

abuse.

still be

he have a

Family?

Friends?

he have pups who will wonder why

against my cheeks, burning and stinging against fresh wounds.

Lucas grunts, his breath coming in harsh pants.

11:

Moonlight and Peace

Pack links are so convenient, and yet I’ve

one.

mind has been Selene,

after she appeared, I never had a link with my pack.

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

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For me.

heart aches more than the wounds shrieking in -agony with every

approach a

shift as they come to a standstill.

digs through the backpack he’d carried from the ambush site, hunting for the keys. It

telltale unlocking clicks have them all breathing in

13.11

Ava: Moonlight and

sets me in the back gently.

beside me, apologizing as he shoves a

hurts like fucking hell, but I

1. it.

pathetic to whine when

their own.

driver’s seat, fully

shifters learn

roars to

a new

I’m in a safe place. Beside me, one of the unfamiliar shifters rummages through a medical kit, retrieving supplies to tend to my wounds. The

little fuzzy. I think I might be melting into a

a little” the unrecognizable voice

Moonlight and Peace

at my

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

a

or pull over and let me drive,” he snaps. “You need to get those mating instincts under