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

I croak. “Clothes.”

“No time.”

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

and a pang of fresh

was never involved in

abuse.

should still be

have a mate?

Family?

Friends?

who will wonder why

and steady against my cheeks, burning and stinging

coming in harsh pants. “We need to hurry.”

11:

Ava Moonlight and

him a question. Pack links are so convenient, and

one.

mind has been Selene, and for a brief moment, Clayton’s wolf.

appeared, I never had

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

injured, and still running. Sᴇaʀᴄh thᴇ FɪndNovᴇl.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels

For me.

than the wounds shrieking in -agony with every jarring step

we approach a white SUV,

as they come to a

ambush site, hunting for the keys. It takes a minute or two, as howls

telltale unlocking clicks have them all

13.11

Moonlight and

and Lucas sets me

and hops into the seat beside me, apologizing as he shoves a shirt against my abdomen, soaking up the blood flowing

but I try not to

1. it.

be pathetic to whine

their own.

driver’s seat,

learn after

the SUV roars to life with all the

of a

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

think I might be melting into a puddle of Ava

sting a little” the unrecognizable voice

Ava Moonlight and

as he dabs at my face with an antiseptic wipe.

make his task any more difficult. Focusing on the astringent scent of alcohol keeps me centered and present, even as my mind keeps

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

the road, or pull over and let me drive,” he snaps. “You need to get those mating instincts