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

my car as I navigate the winding

promise

never know when it’s coming;

never ends well though. Not for me.

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

the beta’s

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

need to get

open the car door,

in my grip as

front door.

Almost there. Almost-

2 Ava: Invitation

wet

keys clenched between

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

Todd.

me and always

he just watches as I grab the door from

a reprieve; I’ll take

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

Damn it.

“Ava. Come here.“/

I walk toward my parents, worried

2 Ava: Invitation

stomach.

what they do to me; as long as it isn’t in his eyesight, where he has

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

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

the room, focusing my gaze on his muddy boots.

don’t bother 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 our pack.

wrist; they’re blind to any injuries or

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

shock, and cold breezes

2. Ava: Invitation

105

anxiety to settle straight into

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

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

find

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

attend this year. Even Jessa hasn’t been to one; historically, our entire pack avoids it. The official

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

2 Ava: Invitation

beneath his notice.

nose wrinkles as though some offensive odor came through, but of course there’s nothing. Just me. “Phoenix and

more explanations. Just a beta throwing out