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

as I navigate the

promise of pain.

sick game. I hate it. I never know when it’s

though. Not

save me, even if I’m being slaughtered

one disrespects the beta’s home.

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

need to get

door, I

The keys jangle in my grip

front door.

Almost there. Almost-

2 Ava: Invitation

wet

clenched between white knuckles. My heart stops.

snarl. Saliva drips from dagger–like fangs.

Todd.

me and always

grab the door from behind my back, turn, and rush inside.

a reprieve;

a moment to lament the damage to my car. I have no idea how much it will cost to repair my cracked windshield; it’ll eat into the savings I’ve been painstakingly

Damn it.

“Ava. Come here.“/

shoulders, I walk toward my parents, worried butterflies floating around in

2 Ava: Invitation

stomach.

about the wolf outside. He doesn’t give a shit. He knows exactly what they do to me; as long as

his expression

over–my shoulder. I can’t remember the last time we had eye contact outside of being

I enter the room, focusing

Words are a waste of time coming from the

word as I cradle my wrist; they’re blind

I trust you have enough money from

with shock, and

2. Ava: Invitation

105

shoving past all that anxiety to settle straight into my

skips a beat, thuds a little harder, and then skips another. The Lunar Gala. I’ve missed out

a big deal, encompassing the Northwestern Territories.

to find their fated

way to 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

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

a palpable force in the room, and I risk a quick glance

2 Ava: Invitation

beneath his notice.

there’s nothing. Just me. “Phoenix and Jessa will

he leaves. No more explanations. Just a beta throwing out his orders and expecting everything to fall