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 Peace

croak.

“No time.”

on me holds tight as

and a pang of fresh guilt hits my

innocent. Someone who was never

abuse.

still be

he have a

Family?

Friends?

does he have pups who will wonder why Daddy’s not

cheeks, burning and

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

11:

Ava Moonlight and Peace

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

one.

enter my mind has been Selene, and for a

I never had a link with

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

and still running. Sᴇaʀᴄh thᴇ FɪndNovᴇl.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access

For me.

wounds shrieking in

slows as we approach a white SUV, and

they come to

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

unlocking clicks have them all breathing

13.11

Ava: Moonlight and Peace

Lucas sets me in

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

I try

1. it.

to whine when they

their own.

driver’s seat,

learn after a few naked

to

a new

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 my wounds. The other two ran to a

I might be melting into a puddle of Ava

sting a little” the unrecognizable

Moonlight and

dabs at

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

a low,

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