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

pace with my car as I

promise of pain.

sick game. I hate it. I never know when

well though. Not

view. Mom and Dad won’t save me, even if I’m being slaughtered in the

the beta’s

the car jerking to a stop. My hands shake as I fumble for my

to get inside.

car door, I stagger out on

in my grip as I

the front

Almost there. Almost-

2 Ava: Invitation

wet fur.

spin around, keys clenched between white

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

Todd.

loves to torment me and always has.

grab the door from behind my back,

reprieve; I’ll

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

Damn it.

“Ava. Come here.“/

toward my parents, worried

2 Ava: Invitation

stomach.

wolf outside. He doesn’t give a shit. He knows exactly what they do to me;

his favorite armchair, his expression stoic as always. Mom stands

I can’t remember the last time we had

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

he wants to see is my submission. Words are a

of them say a word as I cradle my wrist; they’re blind to any injuries

you have enough money from your… job

with shock, and

2. Ava: Invitation

105

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

skips a beat, thuds a little harder, and then skips another. The Lunar Gala.

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

find

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

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

and I risk a quick glance upward. He’s looking over my head, not even straight at me,

2 Ava: Invitation

beneath his notice.

wrinkles as though some offensive odor came through, but of course there’s nothing. Just me. “Phoenix and Jessa will be there, so make sure to present yourself without

a beta throwing out his orders