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

croak. “Clothes.”

“No time.”

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

a pang of fresh guilt

who was never involved

abuse.

still be here.

have a

Family?

Friends?

does he have pups who will wonder

and steady against my cheeks,

coming in

11:

Moonlight and Peace

a question. Pack links are so convenient, and

one.

enter my mind has been Selene,

after she appeared, I never had

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

Sᴇaʀᴄh thᴇ FɪndNovᴇl.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to

For me.

wounds shrieking in -agony with every jarring step Lucas

slows as we approach a white SUV, and the

come to

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

have them all

13.11

Ava: Moonlight

sets me in

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

I try not to whine about

1. it.

to whine when they lost one

their own.

slides into the driver’s seat,

learn after a few

roars to life with

a

a safe place. Beside me, one of the unfamiliar shifters rummages through a medical kit, retrieving supplies to tend to my wounds. The other two ran to a

I might be melting into a puddle of

little” the

Ava Moonlight

at my face

hiss, the 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

seat, Lucas lets out a low, rumbling growl. Vester

over and let me drive,” he snaps.