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.

“No time.”

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

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

Someone who was never involved in

abuse.

still be here.

have

Family?

Friends?

who will wonder why

against my cheeks, burning

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

11:

Ava Moonlight and Peace

question. Pack links are so convenient, and yet I’ve never had access

one.

only person to enter my mind has been Selene, and for a brief moment, Clayton’s wolf.

appeared, I never had a link with my

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 chapters of

For me.

wounds shrieking in -agony with every jarring

approach a white SUV, and the

shift as they come

the ambush site, hunting for the keys. It takes a minute or two, as howls rend the

have

13.11

Ava: Moonlight and

sets me in the

the seat beside me, apologizing as he shoves a shirt

hurts like fucking hell, but I

1. it.

would be pathetic to whine

their own.

into the driver’s seat, fully dressed within

shifters learn after a few

the SUV roars to life

a

against the seat, boneless now that I’m in a safe place. Beside me, one of the unfamiliar shifters rummages through a medical kit, retrieving supplies to tend to my wounds. The other two ran to a different car, I think.

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

little”

Moonlight

his voice gentle as he dabs at my face with an

hiss, the sensation of sharp prickles and burns intensifying the throbbing ache of 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

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

drive,” he