Chapter 2 Ava: Invitation

The eyes stalk me from the shadows, unblinking. Unwavering.

Fuck, fuck, fuck.

My hands tremble as I turn the key again. The engine sputters, coughs. Please. Please start. I can't die here. Not like this.

Another turn. A whine. A sputter.

The wolf steps out from the tree line, massive and menacing. Its fur blends with the night, a specter of death and torment.

I can't make out any distinguishing features in the darkness. No way to know which of my abusers has come for me tonight.

The engine roars to life. Thank God.

I slam my foot on the accelerator, tires screeching against pavement as I peel off down the road. My heart hammers against my ribs, blood rushing in my ears.

In the rearview mirror, I can see the wolf chasing me. Keeping pace with my car as I navigate the winding roads.

He howls, a promise of pain.

It's all a familiar, sick game. I hate it. I never know when it's coming; when someone's bored enough to begin.

It never ends well though. Not for me.

The streets of my neighborhood come into view. Mom and Dad won't save me, even if I'm being slaughtered in the front yard—but if I can make it inside, that's a different story.

No one disrespects the beta's home.

I whip into an awful parallel parking job, the car jerking to a stop. My hands shake as I fumble for my keys, dropping them twice before I manage to grab them.

need

legs. The keys

Almost there. Almost—

smell wet fur.

between white knuckles. My

stands mere feet away, lips curled back in a snarl. Saliva drips from dagger-like fangs. His russet fur tells me everything I need to

Todd.

loves to torment me and

watches as I grab the door from behind my back,

a reprieve;

car. I have no idea how much it will cost to repair my cracked windshield; it'll eat into the savings

Damn it.

"Ava. Come here."

walk toward my parents, worried

He knows exactly what they do to me;

in his favorite armchair, his expression stoic as always. Mom stands behind him, her disapproving stare leveled over my shoulder. I can't remember the last time

head as I enter the room, focusing my gaze on his

with words. All he wants to see is my submission. Words are a waste of time coming from the

say a word as I cradle my wrist; they're blind to any injuries or illness I

Gala this year. I trust you have enough money from your… job to be properly dressed

hands tingle with shock, and cold breezes straight through my limbs, shoving past

another. The Lunar Gala. I've missed out on it for

Unmated wolves from all over will be there, hoping to find

all their pack politics—but in reality, the Lunar Gala is more of a matchmaking ball. Alliances are made when high-ranking shifters mate into

been to one; historically, our entire pack avoids it. The official story is that there's bad blood between a few alphas and ours, but I doubt the other

in the room, and I risk a quick glance upward. He's looking over

course there's nothing. Just me. "Phoenix

more explanations. Just a beta throwing out his orders and expecting

with excitement at the idea of leaving this place

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