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

I croak. “Clothes.”

“No time.”

and Lucas tenses. His grip on me holds tight as he breaks into a run, his long strides eating up

and a pang of fresh guilt hits my heart.

Someone who was never

abuse.

still

he have a

Family?

Friends?

pups who will wonder why Daddy’s not coming

my cheeks, burning and

breath coming in harsh pants. “We need

11:

Ava Moonlight

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

one.

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

appeared, I never had a link with my pack.

dashes through the city naked, followed by wounded wolves. Seeing over his shoulder,

on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels

For me.

aches more than the wounds shrieking in -agony

approach a white SUV,

they come to a

the ambush site, hunting for the keys. It takes

clicks have them all breathing

13.11

Ava: Moonlight and Peace

sets me in

and hops into the seat beside me, apologizing as he shoves a shirt

hurts like fucking hell, but I try

1. it.

would be pathetic to whine when

their own.

slides into the driver’s seat, fully dressed within

learn after a

SUV roars to

a new car.

streets. My head lolls against the seat, boneless now that I’m in a safe place. Beside me, one of the unfamiliar

Everything’s a little fuzzy. I think I might be melting into a puddle of Ava goo, because nothing seems to be working

sting a little” the unrecognizable

Ava Moonlight and

voice gentle as he dabs at my face with an antiseptic wipe.

myself to remain 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

Lucas lets out a low, rumbling growl. Vester

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