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

I croak. “Clothes.”

“No time.”

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

and a pang of

innocent. Someone who was never involved

abuse.

still be

have a

Family?

Friends?

who will wonder why Daddy’s not coming

and steady against my cheeks, burning and stinging

Lucas grunts, his breath coming in

11:

Moonlight and

asked him a question. Pack links are so convenient, and

one.

only person to enter my mind has been Selene, and for a brief moment, Clayton’s

appeared, I never had a link with my

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

FɪndNovᴇl.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters

For me.

the wounds shrieking in -agony with every jarring step Lucas takes.

we approach a white SUV,

they come

swears in frustration as he digs through the backpack he’d carried from the ambush site, hunting for the keys. It takes

telltale unlocking clicks have them all breathing

13.11

Moonlight and Peace

sets me in

the seat beside me, apologizing as he shoves a shirt against

like fucking hell, but I try not to

1. it.

whine when

their own.

into the driver’s seat,

shifters learn after

the SUV roars to life with all

of a new car.

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

anymore. Everything’s a little fuzzy. I think I might be melting

might sting a little” the

Moonlight

his voice gentle as he dabs at

prickles and burns intensifying the throbbing ache of my cheeks. Despite the pain, I force myself to remain still, not wanting to make his task any more

a

me drive,” he snaps.