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

I croak.

“No time.”

me

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

was never involved in

abuse.

still be

he have a

Family?

Friends?

will wonder why Daddy’s not coming home?

cheeks, burning and stinging against fresh wounds.

breath coming in harsh

11:

Moonlight

must have asked him a question. Pack links are so convenient, and yet I’ve

one.

to enter my mind has been Selene,

she appeared, I never had a link with my

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.

than the wounds shrieking in -agony with every jarring step Lucas

approach a

shift as they come to

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

telltale unlocking clicks have them

13.11

Moonlight and Peace

and Lucas sets me in the

pair of pants and hops into the seat beside me, apologizing

hell, but I try not to whine about

1. it.

be pathetic to whine when they lost one

their own.

driver’s seat,

shifters learn after a few

to life

a

My head lolls against the seat, boneless now that I’m in a safe place. Beside me, one of

really remember anymore. Everything’s a little fuzzy. I think I might be melting into a puddle of Ava goo, because nothing

a little”

Ava Moonlight

he dabs at my face with an antiseptic wipe.

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

the front seat, Lucas lets out a low,

pull over and let me drive,”