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 and Peace

croak.

“No time.”

me holds tight as he breaks into a run, his long strides eating up the

missing, and a pang of fresh guilt hits my heart.

was never involved in my

abuse.

should still

have

Family?

Friends?

who will wonder

hot and steady against my cheeks, burning and stinging against fresh wounds.

his breath coming in harsh pants. “We need to hurry.”

11:

Ava Moonlight and Peace

Pack links are

one.

enter my mind has been Selene, and for a brief

after she appeared, I never had

Seeing over his shoulder, I can see the bloody prints

FɪndNovᴇl.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest

For me.

in -agony

we approach a

they come to a standstill.

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

unlocking clicks have them all breathing

13.11

Moonlight

and Lucas sets me in the back gently.

pants and hops into the seat beside me, apologizing as he shoves a

hell, but I try not

1. it.

would be pathetic to whine when they lost one

their own.

driver’s seat,

shifters learn after a few naked

roars to

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 through

might be melting into

little” the

Moonlight and

voice gentle as he dabs at my face with an antiseptic

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

seat, Lucas lets out a low, rumbling growl. Vester growls

your eyes on the road, or pull over and let me drive,” he snaps. “You need to get those mating