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. “Clothes.”

“No time.”

me holds

and a pang of

Someone who was never involved in

abuse.

should still

have a mate?

Family?

Friends?

will

against my cheeks,

in harsh pants. “We need to

11:

Ava Moonlight and Peace

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

one.

been Selene,

I never had a link with my

wolves. Seeing over his shoulder, I can see the bloody

on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and

For me.

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

approach a white SUV, and the other

they come to a

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

clicks have

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Ava: Moonlight and Peace

sets me in the back

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

hurts like fucking hell, but I try not to

1. it.

would be pathetic to whine when

their own.

slides into the driver’s seat, fully dressed

shifters learn after a

SUV roars to life

a new car.

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

remember anymore. Everything’s a little fuzzy. I think I might be melting into a puddle of Ava goo,

sting a little”

Ava Moonlight and Peace

gentle as he dabs at

remain still, not wanting to make his task any more difficult. Focusing on the astringent scent of alcohol keeps

Lucas lets out a low, rumbling

eyes on the road, or pull over and let me drive,” he snaps. “You need