Tangled

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. Sᴇaʀᴄh thᴇ FindNøvᴇl.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

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.

2 Ava: Invitation

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.

I just need to get inside.

Throwing open the car door, I stagger out on

trembling legs. The keys jangle in my grip as I stumble

towards the front door.

Almost there. Almost-

2 Ava: Invitation

car as I

a promise

a familiar, sick game. I hate it. I never know when it’s coming; when

well though. Not

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

the

job, the car jerking to a stop. My hands shake as I fumble

to get inside.

open the car door, I stagger out

keys jangle in my grip as I

front

Almost there. Almost-

2 Ava: Invitation

smell wet fur. And

spin around, keys clenched between white

in a snarl. Saliva drips from dagger–like fangs. His russet fur tells me everything I need to know about his identity.

Todd.

me

as I grab the door from behind my back, turn,

is a reprieve; I’ll take

door behind me, I take a moment to lament the damage to my car. I have no idea how much it will cost to repair my cracked

Damn it.

“Ava. Come here.“/

my parents, worried butterflies floating around

2 Ava: Invitation

stomach.

me; as long as it isn’t in his eyesight, where he has

his favorite armchair, his expression

remember the last time we had eye contact outside of being

room,

don’t bother greeting him with words. All he wants to see is my submission. Words are a waste

my wrist; they’re blind to any injuries or illness I

will be attending the Lunar Gala this year. I trust you have enough money from your… job to be properly dressed for the occasion. Be

tingle with shock, and

2. Ava: Invitation

105

past all that anxiety to settle straight into

little harder, and then skips another. The Lunar Gala. I’ve missed out on it for the past two years.

gala is a big deal, encompassing the Northwestern Territories. Unmated wolves

to find their fated mates.

unwind after the Northwestern Council meets and talks 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 other packs, and new blood is

attend this year. Even Jessa hasn’t 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

having to attend is a palpable force in the room, and I risk a quick glance

2 Ava: Invitation

beneath his notice.

but of course there’s nothing. Just me. “Phoenix and Jessa will be

like that, he leaves. No more explanations. Just a beta throwing out his orders