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

13 11

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

I croak. “Clothes.”

“No time.”

peace after so much death, and Lucas tenses. His grip on me holds tight as he breaks into a run, his long strides

their wolves is missing, and a pang of fresh guilt hits

who was never involved

abuse.

should still

have a mate?

Family?

Friends?

have pups who will wonder why Daddy’s not coming home?

come hot and steady against my cheeks, burning and stinging against

Lucas grunts, his breath coming in harsh pants. “We need

11:

Ava Moonlight and Peace

are so convenient, and yet I’ve

one.

been Selene, and for a brief moment,

she appeared, I never had a link

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

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

For me.

in -agony with every jarring step Lucas takes.

as we approach a white

they come to a standstill.

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

telltale unlocking clicks have

13.11

Moonlight and

Lucas sets me in the back

pair of pants and hops into the seat beside me, apologizing

hurts like fucking hell, but I try not to whine about

1. it.

to whine when they lost

their own.

driver’s seat,

talent most shifters learn after

the SUV roars to life with

a

in a safe place. Beside me, one of the unfamiliar shifters rummages through a medical kit, retrieving supplies to tend to

fuzzy. I think I might be melting into a puddle of

little” the unrecognizable voice

Ava Moonlight and

his voice gentle as he dabs at my face with an antiseptic

cheeks. Despite the pain, I force 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 trying to run away into a hazy white world devoid of

front seat, Lucas lets out a low,

me drive,” he snaps. “You need to get those mating instincts under control.”