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

with my car as I navigate the winding roads.

a promise of

never know when it’s coming; when someone’s bored enough to

never ends well though. Not for

streets of my neighborhood come into view. Mom and Dad won’t save me, even if I’m

the beta’s home.

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

car door,

in my grip as

the front

Almost there. Almost-

2 Ava: Invitation

smell wet fur.

around, keys clenched between

mere feet away, lips curled back in a snarl. Saliva drips from dagger–like fangs. His

Todd.

torment me and always has.

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

is a reprieve; I’ll

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 windshield; it’ll eat into

Damn it.

“Ava. Come here.“/

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

2 Ava: Invitation

stomach.

exactly what they do to me; as long as it isn’t in his eyesight, where he has to deal with it, he

expression stoic as always.

over–my shoulder. I can’t remember the last time

I enter the room, focusing my

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

wrist;

enough money from your… job to be properly dressed for the occasion. Be grateful that our Alpha allowed you

hands tingle with shock, and

2. Ava: Invitation

105

all that anxiety to settle

then skips another. The Lunar Gala. I’ve missed out on

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

hoping to find their fated mates.

a 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

the Blackwood Pack to 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 upward. He’s

2 Ava: Invitation

beneath his notice.

some offensive odor came through, but of course there’s nothing. Just me. “Phoenix

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