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.

“No time.”

me holds tight as he breaks

missing, and a pang

was never involved in my

abuse.

still

have a

Family?

Friends?

pups who will wonder

hot and steady against my cheeks, burning and

far,” Lucas grunts, his breath coming in

11:

Ava Moonlight and Peace

asked him a question. Pack links are

one.

only person to enter my mind has been Selene,

I never had a

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

still running. Sᴇaʀᴄh thᴇ FɪndNovᴇl.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early

For me.

the wounds shrieking in -agony with every jarring step

approach a

they come

carried from the ambush site, hunting for the

have them all

13.11

Moonlight and Peace

sets me

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

but I try not to

1. it.

whine when they lost

their own.

the driver’s seat, fully

most shifters learn after a

the SUV roars to

a new car.

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.

I think I might be melting into a puddle of Ava goo, because nothing seems to be working right now.

little” the

Ava Moonlight and

voice gentle as he dabs at

remain still, not wanting to make his task any more difficult. Focusing on the astringent scent of alcohol keeps me centered

lets out a

over and let me drive,” he