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.”

grip on me holds tight as

and a pang of fresh

was never involved in my

abuse.

should still be

he have a

Family?

Friends?

does he have pups who will wonder why Daddy’s not

come hot and steady against my cheeks,

his breath coming in harsh pants. “We need

11:

Moonlight and

have asked him a question. Pack links are so convenient, and yet I’ve never had

one.

to enter my mind has been Selene, and for a brief moment, Clayton’s wolf.

appeared, I never had a link

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

Sᴇaʀᴄh thᴇ FɪndNovᴇl.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access

For me.

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

as we approach a white SUV,

they come

site, hunting

have them all

13.11

Moonlight and Peace

sets me in

into the seat beside me, apologizing as he

but I try not to whine about

1. it.

would be pathetic to whine

their own.

into the driver’s seat, fully dressed

shifters learn after a few naked

to life with

a

drives through the quiet streets. 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

little”

Moonlight and

gentle as he dabs at my face with an

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

front seat, Lucas lets out a low, rumbling growl. Vester growls in return.

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