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

Ava: Moonlight and

I croak.

“No time.”

much death, and Lucas tenses. His grip on me holds tight as

and a pang of fresh guilt

was never involved in

abuse.

still

have a

Family?

Friends?

have pups who will wonder why Daddy’s not coming

and steady against my cheeks, burning and

in

11:

Ava Moonlight

Pack links are so convenient, and yet I’ve never had

one.

my mind has been Selene, and for a

appeared, I never had

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

thᴇ FɪndNovᴇl.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest

For me.

more than the wounds shrieking in -agony with every jarring step Lucas

we approach a white SUV,

come to a standstill.

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

have them all breathing in

13.11

Moonlight and

me in the

into the seat beside me, apologizing as he shoves

hell, but I try not to whine about

1. it.

would be pathetic to whine when they lost

their own.

the driver’s

learn after a

to life with

of 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

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

sting a little”

Moonlight and

dabs at my face with an antiseptic wipe.

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

Lucas lets out a low, rumbling growl. Vester growls in

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