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

howls, a promise of pain.

never know

though. Not for me.

Mom and Dad won’t save me, even if I’m

the beta’s home.

the car jerking to a stop. My hands shake

to get

door,

The keys jangle in

the front

Almost there. Almost-

2 Ava: Invitation

smell wet fur. And

keys clenched between white knuckles. My heart stops.

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

Todd.

loves to torment me and always has.

he just watches as I grab the door from behind my back,

a reprieve; I’ll

damage to my car. I have no idea how much it will cost to repair my cracked windshield; it’ll eat

Damn it.

“Ava. Come here.“/

I walk toward my parents, worried butterflies floating around

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 it isn’t in his eyesight, where he has to deal with

his expression stoic as always.

the last time

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

All he wants to see is my submission. Words are a waste of

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

attending the Lunar Gala this year. I trust you have enough money from your… job to be properly dressed for the occasion. Be grateful that our Alpha allowed you such

with shock, and cold breezes

2. Ava: Invitation

105

anxiety to settle straight into

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

encompassing the Northwestern Territories. Unmated

to find

pack politics–but in reality, the Lunar Gala is more of a matchmaking ball.

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 I doubt

irritation at 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.

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

more explanations. Just a beta throwing out his orders