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

Ava: Moonlight and

I croak. “Clothes.”

“No time.”

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

missing, and a

was never involved in my

abuse.

should still be here.

have a mate?

Family?

Friends?

who will wonder why Daddy’s not

hot and steady against my cheeks, burning and

far,” Lucas grunts, his breath coming in harsh pants. “We need to hurry.”

11:

Moonlight

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

one.

has been

I never had a link

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

thᴇ FɪndNovᴇl.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and

For me.

shrieking in -agony with every

as we approach a white

they come

through the backpack he’d carried from the ambush site, hunting for the keys. It takes a minute or two, as howls rend the air.

telltale unlocking clicks have

13.11

Moonlight

and Lucas sets me in the

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

I try not to whine about

1. it.

would be pathetic to whine when they lost one of

their own.

the driver’s seat, fully

talent most shifters learn after a few naked

roars to life with all

a new

now that I’m in a safe place. Beside me, one of the unfamiliar shifters rummages

I might be melting into a puddle of

might sting a little” the unrecognizable voice

Moonlight and Peace

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

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

lets out a

me drive,” he snaps. “You need to get those