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

I croak.

“No time.”

much death, 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

who was never involved in

abuse.

still

he have

Family?

Friends?

who will wonder

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

grunts, his breath coming in harsh

11:

Ava Moonlight and

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

one.

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

after she appeared, I never had a link with

Seeing over his shoulder, I can

Sᴇaʀᴄh thᴇ FɪndNovᴇl.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ

For me.

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

slows as we approach a

as they come to a standstill.

ambush site, hunting for the keys. It takes

clicks have

13.11

Ava: Moonlight and

Lucas sets me in the back gently.

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

but I try not to whine about

1. it.

would be pathetic to whine when they

their own.

the driver’s seat, fully

shifters learn

the SUV roars to

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 through a medical kit, retrieving supplies to tend to my wounds. The other two ran to a different car, I think.

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

sting a little”

Ava Moonlight

at my face with an

make his task any more difficult. Focusing on the astringent scent of

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

eyes on the road, or pull over and let me drive,” he snaps. “You need to get