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 and Peace

croak. “Clothes.”

“No time.”

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

of their wolves is missing, and a pang of fresh guilt

Someone who was never involved in

abuse.

still be

have

Family?

Friends?

he have pups who will wonder why Daddy’s not coming home?

against my cheeks, burning and

Lucas grunts, his breath coming in harsh

11:

Ava Moonlight and

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

one.

has been

never had a

through the city naked, followed by wounded wolves. Seeing over his

and still running. Sᴇaʀᴄh thᴇ FɪndNovᴇl.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to

For me.

aches more than the wounds shrieking in -agony with every jarring step Lucas takes.

approach a white SUV,

come to

the ambush site, hunting for the

have

13.11

Ava: Moonlight and Peace

sets me in the back gently.

beside me, apologizing as he shoves

like fucking hell, but I try not to whine about

1. it.

would be pathetic to whine when they lost

their own.

slides into the driver’s

shifters learn after a few

roars to life with all the

of a new

in a safe place. Beside me,

might be melting into a puddle of Ava goo,

sting a little” the unrecognizable voice

Ava Moonlight and

gentle as he dabs at my face with an antiseptic wipe.

task any more difficult. Focusing on

a low, rumbling growl.

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