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 Peace

croak.

“No time.”

much death, and Lucas tenses. His grip on me holds tight as he breaks into a

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

innocent. Someone who was never involved in

abuse.

still

he have a

Family?

Friends?

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

steady against my cheeks, burning

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

11:

Ava Moonlight

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

one.

has been Selene,

I never had a link

wounded wolves. Seeing over his shoulder, I can see the bloody prints

Sᴇaʀᴄh thᴇ FɪndNovᴇl.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters

For me.

shrieking in -agony with every jarring step Lucas

we approach a white SUV, and the

they come

swears in frustration as he digs 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 them all

13.11

Ava: Moonlight and Peace

sets me

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

fucking hell, but I try

1. it.

to whine when they lost one

their own.

slides into the driver’s seat, fully

learn after a

the SUV roars to

of a

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

I think I might be melting into a puddle of Ava goo,

might sting a little” the

Moonlight and

he dabs at my face with an antiseptic

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

the front seat, Lucas lets out a low, rumbling growl.

over and let me drive,” he