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

croak.

“No time.”

the relative peace after so much death, and Lucas tenses. His grip on me holds tight as he breaks into

wolves is missing, and a pang

who was never

abuse.

still

he have

Family?

Friends?

pups who will wonder why Daddy’s not coming

come hot and steady against my cheeks, burning and

in harsh pants. “We need

11:

Moonlight and Peace

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

one.

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

after she appeared, I never had a link

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

on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the

For me.

wounds shrieking in -agony with every

as we approach a white SUV, and the other

as they come to a standstill.

from the ambush site, hunting for the keys. It

telltale unlocking clicks have them all

13.11

Ava: Moonlight

sets me in the back gently.

on a pair of pants and hops into the seat beside me, apologizing as he shoves a shirt against my abdomen,

but I try not to whine about

1. it.

would be pathetic to whine when they lost one

their own.

slides into the driver’s seat,

shifters learn after a few

the SUV roars to life with

a new car.

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

little fuzzy. I think I might be melting into a puddle of Ava goo, because nothing

a little” the unrecognizable

Moonlight and Peace

his voice gentle as he dabs at my face

make his task any more difficult. Focusing on the astringent scent of alcohol keeps me centered and present, even as

front seat, Lucas lets out a low,

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