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 navigate the winding roads.

a promise of pain.

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

ends well though. Not for me.

won’t save me, even if I’m being slaughtered in the front yard–but if

disrespects the beta’s

a stop. My hands shake

need to

open the car door, I stagger out

The keys jangle in my grip as I stumble

front door.

Almost there. Almost-

2 Ava: Invitation

can smell wet fur. And

between white knuckles.

a snarl. Saliva drips from dagger–like fangs. His

Todd.

torment me and

door

reprieve; I’ll take

take a moment to lament the damage to my car. I have no idea how much it will

Damn it.

“Ava. Come here.“/

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

2 Ava: Invitation

stomach.

course, says nothing about the wolf outside. He doesn’t give a shit. He knows exactly what they do to me; as long as it isn’t in his eyesight, where he has

expression

can’t remember the last time we had eye contact outside of being

enter the room, focusing my gaze on his

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

I cradle my wrist; they’re blind to any

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

hands tingle with shock,

2. Ava: Invitation

105

past all that anxiety to settle straight into my brain. What?

harder, and then skips another. The Lunar Gala. I’ve

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

hoping to find their fated

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

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

force in the room, and I risk a quick glance upward. He’s looking over my head, not

2 Ava: Invitation

beneath his notice.

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

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