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

I croak.

“No time.”

grip on me holds tight as he breaks into a run, his long strides

their wolves is missing, and a pang of fresh guilt

innocent. Someone who was never

abuse.

should still be here.

he have a mate?

Family?

Friends?

pups who will

hot and steady against my cheeks, burning and stinging against

his breath coming in harsh pants. “We need

11:

Ava Moonlight

must have asked him a question. Pack links are so convenient, and yet I’ve

one.

mind has been Selene,

she appeared, I never had a

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

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

For me.

aches more than the wounds shrieking in -agony

a white SUV,

they come to

he’d carried from the ambush site, hunting for the keys. It takes a minute or two,

unlocking clicks have them

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Ava: Moonlight and

and Lucas sets me in

beside me, apologizing as he shoves a shirt against my abdomen, soaking up the blood flowing

fucking hell, but I try not to whine

1. it.

to whine when they

their own.

driver’s seat, fully

shifters learn after

roars to life with all

a new car.

blurs in front of my eyes as Lucas drives through the quiet streets. My head lolls against the seat, boneless now that I’m in a safe place. Beside me, one of the unfamiliar shifters rummages through

I might be melting into a puddle of Ava goo, because nothing seems to be working right

might sting a little” the

Moonlight and

at my face

pain, I force myself to remain still, not wanting to make his task any more difficult. Focusing on the astringent scent of

lets out a low, rumbling growl. Vester growls

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