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”

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

explaining something to me. I glance around the table, unsurprised to find Jessa grimacing at her plate and Phoenix studying

them,

eyes trail to the bruises at

at my green beans with my fork. “I understand, Father.”

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

4 Ava: Planning

He returns his attention

I clench my fist in my

the table.

feeling hurt by his words.

***

is done like most of my familial interactions–in silence. Mom, Dad, and Jessa are in their own vehicle, while I accompany

lull me into a state of numbness. Phoenix drives with the arrogance of an alpha, one arm draped across

off, because of course it

Dad. Cold and distant, just like

them.

pass, and rolling plateaus give way to the mountains of the northern boundaries of the state. My thoughts drift to Lisa, wondering what she’s up to and if

doing anything foolish at

14:35

4/7

4 Ava: Planning

body 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.

me.”

means. Oh, Lord, or Moon Goddess, or whoever is the real deity out there–if only I could read my siblings like they can read

to sound nonchalant. “Besides, it’s not like anyone can mate a defect.” Oops, the bitterness

Phoenix doesn’t make a sound. I guess he approves of my bleak outlook

be his

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

glance toward

There’s no way in hell I’m staying

nannla

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