Tangled

3 Ava: Danger

[WARNING: Sensitive content ahead.]

Days pass with little regard for the anxiety building in my belly every time I crawl into bed at night, watching the phases of the moon, wondering what this next

chapter of life will look like.

Aside from a brief shopping excursion with Jessa–who ignores me almost the entire time and scoffs at every dress I try on–I don’t leave the house except for school and work, trying to avoid trouble.

I spend any spare moment I can manage picking up extra shifts at Beaniverse to help pay for the atrocious bill at the mall. Who spends three hundred dollars on a dress? But Jessa insisted that it was the only one that didn’t make me look like I was wearing a silk potato sack.

Lisa’s busy, too, so our texts are few and far between, mostly complaining about work and school.

My family’s indifference weighs on me like a thick

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blanket, but beneath it, a tiny bud of hope sprouts- maybe, just maybe, I’ll make it to the gala without incident. A week remains before the event that could change my life, or just as likely, confirm my place as the outcast.

Today, like the rest of the past two weeks, appears to be yet another day of unsettling peace as I head home after class with groceries in my passenger seat.

Phoenix is stopping by for dinner, so I have his favorites on the menu–a creamy garlic and parmesan roasted chicken, paired with bacon–wrapped brussels sprouts tossed in maple syrup and balsamic vinaigrette.

It sounds fancier than it is, but it really is delicious, thanks to the internet recipes I’d found years ago.

As the appointed alpha heir to the Blackwood Pack, Mom always fawns on Phoenix. Dad was thrilled enough that he had a son with alpha potential, but when Alpha Renard’s last son was killed in a small skirmish with renegade wolves and Phoenix was named heir, he strutted more like a peacock than a wolf for at least a month afterward.

3 Ava: Danger

One day he will be Alpha Phoenix Blackwood, but for now, he’s still a Grey.

I juggle the flimsy plastic grocery bags with the grace of a dying fawn as I make my way into the empty house.

The peace of these past few weeks must have rotted the self preservation sphere of my brain, because I don’t pay any attention to my surroundings as I unlock the front door and walk in.

As I step further inside, a breeze tickles my neck and the door slams with a force that can only mean trouble, bringing a familiar and unwelcome scent to my nose.

tormentor, is here. Inside. With me. Right now. Ready to

twisted into a sneer that chills my spine. I can’t even step away as

hear umu’ve hoon

3 Ava: Danger

take you as a mate.” His voice drips with malice as he

my neck, lifting me until I’m standing on the very tips of

to the floor, and for a moment my idiot brain focuses on

to eat them faster than I expected.

for the gala, huh? You think you can ever escape our pack?” His breath is hot and tuna fresh on

as they stab into all my insecurities, bleeding me of all those precious hopes and dreams I’ve kept in secret. “Do you actually believe anyone would want

desperate for escape. His

3 Ava: Danger

my mouth opens as I

rushing into my throat, making it even harder to bring air

his forearm, scratching long, angry swathes down his skin. I try to kick,

and trying to ignore the hard evidence pushing against my belly of exactly how much he’s enjoying this

just around the corner. If

hesitates, his fingers flexing

3 Ava: Don

every abuse thrown my way and plotting revenge.

day long. Whatever lets me live to tomorrow. Whatever keeps his

I want to cry. I tilt my head further back, baring my neck to

growl of approval sends revulsion shuddering through every millimeter of my skin, and I struggle to keep my face blank as

fish.

I somehow manage to avoid

falls to my hip, tugging me closer, and I close my eyes, breathing through my

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need to make

as Todd bites my shoulder, his jaw rigid and unyielding. The shriek that escapes me is beyond my control, and I slap at his shoulder in a frantic attempt to escape, writhing against his grip. “Todd! Fuck! That hurts!”

hickey onto my skin. He grips my jaw, staring into my eyes, and

my tormentor grins at

no prince on a white horse among our packs. There’s nothing to save you at the gala. You’ll be our

falls to my feet.

little pack whore, Ava. Even without a wolf.” The relief when he lets go is replaced only by

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3 Ava: Danger

in, before sliding a little farther to cup

around the edges, but his

both hands and pushes his erection against me, rocking hard, nibbling on my jaw, leaving a trail of slime. “You’re lucky enough to be a pretty little defect, Ava. It won’t be too hard to use you.” He groans, rocking faster against me, pulling my legs around his hips. “Fuck, Ava. I’m going to breed you until you learn your place, you understand?”