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

howls, a promise of pain.

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

well though.

Dad won’t save me, even if I’m being slaughtered in the front yard–but if I can

one disrespects the beta’s home.

into an awful parallel parking job, the car jerking to a stop. My hands shake as I fumble for my keys, dropping them

just need to

door, I stagger

keys jangle in my grip

the front

Almost there. Almost-

2 Ava: Invitation

can smell wet fur. And

keys clenched between white

from dagger–like fangs. His russet fur tells me everything I need to know about his

Todd.

torment me and always has.

I grab the door from behind my back, turn,

is a reprieve; I’ll take

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

Damn it.

“Ava. Come here.“/

I walk toward my

2 Ava: Invitation

stomach.

of course, says nothing 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 a word.

armchair, his expression stoic as always. Mom stands behind

the last time we

I enter the room, focusing my

don’t bother greeting him with words. All he wants to see is my submission. Words

my wrist; they’re blind to any injuries

clears his throat. “You will be attending the Lunar Gala this year. I trust you have enough money from your…

with shock, and cold

2. Ava: Invitation

105

anxiety to settle straight into my brain. What?

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

gala is a big deal, encompassing the Northwestern

find their fated

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 matchmaking ball. Alliances are made when high–ranking shifters mate into other packs, and new

one; historically, our entire pack avoids it. The official story is that there’s bad

risk a quick glance upward. He’s

2 Ava: Invitation

beneath his notice.

Just me. “Phoenix and

that, he leaves. No more explanations. Just a beta