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

promise of pain.

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

never ends well though. Not for me.

me, even if I’m being slaughtered in

disrespects the

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

need to

open the car door, I stagger out on

keys jangle in my grip as

front door.

Almost there. Almost-

2 Ava: Invitation

smell wet fur. And

spin around, keys clenched between white knuckles. My

lips curled back in a snarl. Saliva drips from dagger–like fangs. His

Todd.

to torment me and

grab the door from behind my back,

a reprieve;

door behind me, I take a moment to lament the damage to my car. I have no idea how much it will cost to

Damn it.

“Ava. Come here.“/

my shoulders, I walk toward my parents, worried butterflies

2 Ava: Invitation

stomach.

doesn’t give a shit. He knows exactly what they do to me; as long as it isn’t

his expression stoic as always. Mom stands

over–my shoulder. I can’t remember the last time we had eye contact outside of being dressed down.

as I enter the room, focusing my gaze on

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

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

I trust you have enough money from your… job to be properly dressed for the

with shock, and cold

2. Ava: Invitation

105

my limbs, shoving past all that anxiety to

little harder, and then skips another. The Lunar Gala. I’ve missed out on it for

gala is a big deal, encompassing the Northwestern Territories.

to find

the Lunar Gala is more of a matchmaking ball. Alliances are made when high–ranking shifters

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 bad blood

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

2 Ava: Invitation

beneath his notice.

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

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