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

Moonlight

croak.

“No time.”

much death, and Lucas tenses. His grip on me holds tight as

of their wolves is missing, and a pang

was never

abuse.

still be

he have a

Family?

Friends?

have pups who will wonder why Daddy’s

steady against my cheeks, burning and stinging against

coming in harsh pants. “We

11:

Ava Moonlight and Peace

a question. Pack links are so convenient,

one.

has been Selene, and for a

appeared, I never had a link with

city naked, followed by wounded wolves. Seeing over his shoulder,

on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest

For me.

in -agony

slows as we approach a white

shift as they come

site, hunting for the keys. It takes a minute or

have them all breathing

13.11

Ava: Moonlight and

Lucas sets me in the back

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

hurts like fucking hell, but I try not to whine about

1. it.

pathetic to whine when they

their own.

driver’s

learn after a few naked

to life with all

of a new car.

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

might be melting into a puddle of Ava goo, because nothing seems to be working right now.

sting a little” the unrecognizable voice

Moonlight and

voice gentle as he dabs at my

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

front seat, Lucas lets out a low,

on the road, or pull over and let me drive,”