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.”

Lucas tenses. His grip on me holds

is missing, and a pang of fresh guilt hits my

who was

abuse.

should still be here.

he have a mate?

Family?

Friends?

does he have pups who will wonder why Daddy’s

and steady against my cheeks, burning and stinging against fresh wounds.

coming in harsh

11:

Ava Moonlight and Peace

Pack links are so convenient, and yet I’ve

one.

only person to enter my mind has been Selene, and

appeared, I never had

over his shoulder, I can

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

For me.

than the wounds shrieking in -agony with

a white SUV,

come to a standstill.

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

unlocking clicks have them all

13.11

Moonlight

Lucas sets me

beside me, apologizing

I try not to whine

1. it.

to whine when they lost

their own.

into the driver’s

learn

to life

of a

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 a medical kit, retrieving supplies to tend to

a little fuzzy. I think I might be melting into a puddle of Ava goo, because nothing

might sting a little” the

Moonlight and Peace

at my face with an antiseptic

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

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

pull over and let me drive,” he snaps. “You need