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 Peace

croak. “Clothes.”

“No time.”

tenses. His grip on me

and a pang of fresh guilt

who was never involved

abuse.

still

have

Family?

Friends?

he have pups who will

hot and steady against my cheeks, burning and

in harsh pants. “We need

11:

Moonlight and

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

one.

been Selene, and for

she appeared, I never had

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

Sᴇaʀᴄh thᴇ FɪndNovᴇl.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to

For me.

heart aches more than the wounds shrieking in -agony with every jarring

slows as we approach a white SUV, and the

shift as they come to a standstill.

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

unlocking clicks have them all breathing

13.11

Moonlight

me in the back gently.

hops into the seat beside me, apologizing as he shoves a shirt against my abdomen, soaking up

hell, but I try

1. it.

be pathetic to whine when

their own.

into the driver’s seat, fully dressed

shifters learn after a few naked

roars to life with

a new car.

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

I might be melting into a puddle of Ava goo, because nothing seems to be working

sting a little”

Moonlight

dabs at my face

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 to run away into a hazy white

front seat, Lucas lets out a low, rumbling

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