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

a promise

I hate it. I never know when it’s coming; when someone’s bored enough to begin.

well though. Not for me.

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

one disrespects the

My hands shake as I fumble for my keys,

just need to get inside.

door,

jangle in my grip as I

the front door.

Almost there. Almost-

2 Ava: Invitation

wet fur. And

between white knuckles. My

wolf stands mere feet away, lips curled back in a snarl. Saliva drips from dagger–like fangs.

Todd.

torment me and

watches as I grab the door

a reprieve; I’ll take

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

Damn it.

“Ava. Come here.“/

Straightening my shoulders, I walk toward my parents,

2 Ava: Invitation

stomach.

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

expression stoic as always. Mom stands behind him, her

remember the last time we had eye contact outside of

as I enter the room, focusing my gaze on his

words. All he wants to see is my submission. Words are a waste

them say a word as I cradle my wrist;

“You will be attending the Lunar Gala this year. I trust you have enough money from your… job to be properly dressed for

with shock,

2. Ava: Invitation

105

that anxiety to settle straight

then skips another. The

a big deal, encompassing the Northwestern Territories. Unmated

find their

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,

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

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

2 Ava: Invitation

beneath his notice.

through, but of course there’s nothing. Just me. “Phoenix and Jessa will be there, so make sure to

like that, he leaves. No more explanations. Just a beta throwing out his orders and expecting everything