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 pain.

familiar, sick game. I hate it. I never know when

never ends well though. Not

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

disrespects the beta’s home.

hands shake as I fumble for my keys, dropping them twice before

to get inside.

door,

in my grip

the front

Almost there. Almost-

2 Ava: Invitation

can smell wet

spin around, keys clenched between white

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

Todd.

me

watches as I grab the door from behind

reprieve;

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 gathering.

Damn it.

“Ava. Come here.“/

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

2 Ava: Invitation

stomach.

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

is seated in his favorite armchair, his expression stoic as always. Mom stands behind

time we had eye contact outside of being dressed

bow my head as I enter the room, focusing my

is my submission. Words are a waste of time coming

word as I cradle my wrist; they’re blind to any

year. I trust you have enough money from your… job to be properly dressed for the occasion. Be grateful that

tingle with shock, and cold

2. Ava: Invitation

105

my limbs, shoving past all that anxiety

another. The Lunar Gala. I’ve missed out on it for the past

big deal, encompassing the Northwestern Territories. Unmated wolves from all over will

to find their fated

gala is 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 are made when high–ranking

pack avoids it. The official story is that there’s bad

having to attend is a palpable force in the room, and I risk a quick glance upward. He’s looking over my

2 Ava: Invitation

beneath his notice.

Just me. “Phoenix and Jessa will be there, so make sure to present yourself without

explanations. Just a beta throwing out his orders and