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

a promise of

sick game. I hate it. I never know

well though. Not

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

disrespects the

to a stop. My hands shake as I fumble for

need to get

car door,

legs. The keys jangle in my grip as I

the front

Almost there. Almost-

2 Ava: Invitation

smell wet

between

a snarl. Saliva drips from dagger–like fangs. His russet fur tells

Todd.

me and always has.

door from behind my

is a reprieve; I’ll take

the damage to my car. I have no idea how much it

Damn it.

“Ava. Come here.“/

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

2 Ava: Invitation

stomach.

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

his expression stoic as

leveled over–my shoulder. I can’t remember the last time

as I enter the room, focusing

to see is my submission. Words are a waste of time coming from

cradle my wrist; they’re blind to any injuries or

have enough money from your… job to be properly dressed for the occasion. Be grateful that our Alpha allowed you

hands tingle with shock, and

2. Ava: Invitation

105

past all that anxiety to settle straight into my

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

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

find their

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 shifters mate into other packs, and new blood

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.

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

2 Ava: Invitation

beneath his notice.

odor came through, but of course there’s nothing. Just me. “Phoenix and Jessa will be there, so

that, he leaves. No more explanations. Just a beta throwing out his orders