Tangled

4 Ava: Planning

eas

The next three days pass in a haze as I endeavor to leave my room as little as possible. I spend the time trying to make a plan to escape; there’s no way in hell I’m staying here to become the pack’s omega whore. My brain skirts past everything that happened with Todd, deciding ignoring it all was much cheaper than therapy.

The walls of my room close in on me. My heart pounds in my chest, and I can’t stop the tears from falling. I try to distract myself with books, but every word seems to mock me, every page a reminder of my trapped existence. I’ve given up on my classes, because–well, I’m not coming back. Obviously.

I conclude that my best bet is to run from the gala itself, while everyone is too distracted to notice I’m gone. I pack a bag with escape in mind, filling it with clothes, food, and the balance in my bank account, after withdrawing it all. I don’t know where I’ll go or what I’ll do, but I can’t stay here anymore.

I buy a burner phone and program Lisa’s number into it, but I’m not sure if it will be safe to text her when

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4 Ava: Planning

I’m gone. Like a coward, I say nothing about my plans, and find myself pre–mourning the loss of my best friend. If I tell her anything, she will be in danger,

assuming my pack cares enough to hunt her down for information. It’s better to act like everything’s normal.

At dinner on the third day, I sit at the table, pushing food around my plate as my Dad drops the bomb. We’re going to the Silvermoon Pack’s territory for the gala.

It’s happening.

Composure is hard to keep when a million fire ants are crawling around inside your skin in a psychosomatic manifestation of anxiety, but somehow, I manage. Either that, or my family doesn’t care enough to notice anything off about me.

In two days, I can’t believe I’ll be surrounded by shifters looking for their fated mates, while I’m just trying to find a way out.

Dad clears his throat and I glance at him, surprised to find his eyes locked on me. “Ava,” he says, in this weird cadence that I think was supposed to be… soothing? “This is a big event for all of us.”

14 35

* Ava Plamosout

“Yes, Father”

but it would look odd to leave my unmated, eligible daughter at home when Jessa

studying me with hist trademark detachment.

to all of them, that’s exactly what

staccato rhythm against the table. “I expect nothing but your best behavior while we are there. Ava.” His eyes trail to the bruises at my neck, and I flinch. They weren’t as bad as I

my head, prodding at my green beans with my fork. “I understand,

you’ll find your mate there. So just try to stay out

4 Ava: Planning

shut.” He returns

I clench my fist in my lap, hidden beneath

the table.

no point in feeling hurt by his

***

is done like most of my familial interactions–in silence. Mom, Dad, and Jessa are

thud of the tires on the road lull me into a state of

The radio is off, because of course it

Dad. Cold and distant, just

them.

the mountains of the northern boundaries of the state. My thoughts drift to Lisa, wondering what she’s up to

planning on doing anything foolish at the Lunar Gala, are you, Ave?”

14:35

4/7

4 Ava: Planning

twitches in shock, first from the sound of Phoenix’s voice, and then by his question. I stare at the side of his face, wondering if he somehow knows, and fight to stay calm. “Of course not. Dad would beat me. He’s made it

me.”

not sure what that means. Oh, Lord, or Moon Goddess, or whoever is the real deity out there–if only I could read my

sound nonchalant. “Besides, it’s not like

doesn’t make a sound. I guess he

Mason will take you in. You won’t be his mate, but

near–violent flinch at the sound of his name. “As long as they have

a glance toward me.

in hell I’m staying with these

nannla

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