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

croak. “Clothes.”

“No time.”

His grip on me

their wolves is missing, and a

Someone who was never

abuse.

still be

have a mate?

Family?

Friends?

will wonder why

my cheeks, burning

Lucas grunts, his breath coming in harsh pants.

11:

Moonlight

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

one.

only person to enter my mind has been Selene, and

had a link with my

Seeing over his shoulder, I can see the bloody prints left by foot and paw.

Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and

For me.

aches more than the wounds shrieking in -agony with every

as we approach a white SUV, and the

come to a

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

have them all breathing in

13.11

Ava: Moonlight and

Lucas sets me in the

throws on a pair of pants and hops into the seat beside me, apologizing as he shoves a

like fucking hell, but I try

1. it.

pathetic to whine when

their own.

driver’s seat, fully dressed within

shifters learn

to life

a new car.

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 a

fuzzy. I think I might be melting

little” the unrecognizable

Ava Moonlight and Peace

dabs at

my 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

lets out a low, rumbling growl.

the road, or pull over and let me drive,” he snaps. “You need