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 winding

howls, a promise of pain.

a familiar, sick game. I hate it. I never know when it’s coming; when someone’s

though.

if I’m being slaughtered in the front yard–but if

disrespects the beta’s home.

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

need to get inside.

car door,

keys jangle in my grip as I stumble

the front

Almost there. Almost-

2 Ava: Invitation

wet fur. And

between

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

Todd.

torment me and

the door from behind my

reprieve; I’ll take it.

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.“/

walk toward my parents, worried butterflies floating

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 it, he won’t say

armchair, his expression

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

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

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

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

Gala this year. I trust you have enough money from

with shock, and cold breezes

2. Ava: Invitation

105

shoving past all that anxiety to settle

another. The Lunar Gala. I’ve missed

deal, encompassing the Northwestern Territories.

find their fated mates.

the 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

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 the other packs are the problem.

having to attend is a palpable force in the room, and I risk a

2 Ava: Invitation

beneath his notice.

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

more explanations. Just a beta throwing out his orders and expecting everything