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

Moonlight and

croak. “Clothes.”

“No time.”

me holds tight as he

their wolves is missing, and a

who was never

abuse.

still be here.

he have a mate?

Family?

Friends?

he have pups who will wonder why Daddy’s not

steady against my cheeks, burning and stinging against fresh

Lucas grunts, his breath coming in harsh

11:

Moonlight and Peace

Pack links are so convenient, and

one.

enter my mind has been

appeared, I never had a link with my pack.

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

Sᴇaʀᴄh thᴇ FɪndNovᴇl.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early

For me.

wounds shrieking in -agony

as we approach a white

they come to

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

unlocking clicks have

13.11

Moonlight

sets me in the back gently.

seat beside me, apologizing as he shoves a shirt against my abdomen, soaking

hell, but I try not to

1. it.

would be pathetic to whine when

their own.

driver’s seat, fully dressed

shifters learn

SUV roars to life with

a new

that I’m in a safe place. Beside me,

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

sting a little”

Ava Moonlight and Peace

dabs at

force myself to remain still, not wanting to make his task any more difficult. Focusing on the

out a low, rumbling growl.

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