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

croak.

“No time.”

peace after so much death, and Lucas tenses. His grip on me holds tight as he breaks into a run, his long

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

was never

abuse.

should still

he have

Family?

Friends?

pups who will

hot and steady against my cheeks, burning and stinging against

breath coming in harsh pants. “We need to

11:

Moonlight and Peace

must have asked him a question. Pack links are so

one.

only person to enter my mind has been

had a link with

over his shoulder, I can see the bloody prints left by foot and paw.

Gøøglᴇ

For me.

the wounds shrieking in -agony with every jarring step Lucas

a white SUV, and the other

shift as they come to a standstill.

through the backpack he’d carried from the ambush site, hunting for the keys. It takes a minute or two, as howls rend the air.

unlocking clicks have

13.11

Ava: Moonlight and Peace

and Lucas sets me in

beside me, apologizing as

like fucking hell, but I try not to whine about

1. it.

would be pathetic to whine

their own.

driver’s seat, fully

learn after a few

the SUV roars to life with

a new

quiet streets. My head lolls against the seat, boneless now that I’m in a safe place. Beside me, one of the

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

sting a little” the unrecognizable voice

Ava Moonlight

gentle as he dabs at my face with

cheeks. Despite the pain, I force myself to remain still, not wanting to make his task any more

lets out a low, rumbling growl. Vester

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