Tangled

5 Ava: Gala (1)

I stand in front of the full–length mirror, my hands shaking as I fumble with the zipper of my dress. The fabric is soft and silky, just as beautiful as the day I bought it. It’s the nicest thing I’ve ever worn, but I feel like an impostor in it.

I twist and turn just a little, enjoying the feel of my skirt swirling around my legs. As a child, I remember twirling just like this, wishing my dresses would spin like they do for Disney princesses. The little girl in me is satisfied with what she sees in the mirror, while the older me, the current me, thinks I shouldn’t even be

here.

Jessa and Mom look me over, their eyes critical as they

take in my appearance.

“Oh, Ava,” Mom sighs, even her disappointment sounding cultured and elegant. “Couldn’t you have at least tried to do something with your hair?”

I reach up, touching my hair in surprise. I thought it looked nice with the forced makeover Jessa had dragged me to but Mom’s face says otherwise. “I

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thought it was fine,” I mumble, my cheeks burning with

shame.

Jessa rolls her eyes. “Of course you did. Come on, let’s get this over with. I bet you didn’t even bring anything. Let’s just do a quick french twist.”

She grabs my arm and drags me back into the room, pushing me down into a chair in front of the vanity. Mom follows, her lips pursed in a tight line.

“Sit up straight,” Mom snaps, her hands on my shoulders as she forces me to straighten my spine. “And suck in your stomach. Those hips of yours are far too wide for this dress. It isn’t much better than a potato sack. Honestly, Ava. If your dad didn’t need to bring you to show the other packs that you’re alive and well, I wouldn’t dare be seen with you. You look like some hobo from the city. What’s that saying, Jessa? A cow’s ear can never be a purse?”

I bite my lip, fighting back unwanted tears as they continue to criticize every aspect of my appearance. I want to ask why the packs even care if I’m alive and well, but I know Mom will be upset if I push.

That little girl deep inside of me, so satisfied with the

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swirling skirt of my dress, hides so far in my psyche that I’m not sure she will ever come out again. Every bit of stolen joy I’d felt in the mirror is gone, crushed under my mother’s elegant heels and cruel words.

Jessa yanks a brush through my hair, tugging it into an elegant updo with ruthless efficiency.

“I can’t believe you’re making me do this,” she hisses, her breath hot against my ear. “You owe me big time, Ava. I should be concentrating on myself, not you. You don’t even have any prospects here.” As if she isn’t perfection walking already.

I nod anyway, not trusting myself to speak. I know I’m a burden, a disappointment to everyone in my family. But tonight, I have to put on a brave face and pretend to be something I’m not. Tonight, I have to take everything they say with a smile, just like before. Just for a little longer.

I’ll be free soon. It’s a mantra I repeat to myself as I cower before the disapproval of the people who are supposed to love me the most.

Mom grabs my chin, forcing me to look left, then right, before giving a slight nod. “At least you no longer look

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5 Ava: Gala (1)

homeless. For Moon’s sake, Ava, you should know how to take care of yourself. How do you think this makes me look, like I’ve taught you nothing? You couldn’t even bring a pair of earrings?”

I refrain from reminding her that she hasn’t taught me anything since the day I turned twelve, and I don’t own a single piece of jewelry. Well, no, there’s one… but somehow, I don’t think the friendship bracelet I made myself when I was thirteen would pass her muster.

and blush to my skin. I try to

to ruin everything. Jessa, honey, that shade will make her look sallow. We don’t need her to

she’s finished, I hardly recognize the girl staring back at me in the mirror. My skin is

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deep, sultry red.

stepping back to admire her handiwork. “At

in the past hour? Probably at least ten.

th

hands over the fabric of my dress. My heart is pounding in my chest, and I feel like I might be sick. But I know I have to do this. I have to play

I’ll be free.

***

in a

my bones, the grandeur and opulence

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Ava: Gala (1)

floors are polished marble, and

to find a quiet corner to hide away, to escape the scrutiny of the other guests. But before I can make my move, my father grabs me by the

tight on my elbow as he steers me towards a well–dressed, older man. I think he is a beta from one of the packs, but my

words.

Their names and faces blur in my mind as my father introduces me to

will be given any freedom at all.

the sound of forced

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Gala

of us with unfamiliar intent. He’s old, older even than Alpha Renard, I think, but he has a youthful fluidity to

approaches him with some reserve.

responds, his rich

alpha heir. Jessa, my daughter. She’s here in search of a fated connection, as it

Alpha Steele says, but I notice that he doesn’t extend his hand. Phoenix stiffens, but

bruise as he shot

this is Ava, my youngest daughter.”

you, Alpha Steele.” I recognize his name now, as the alpha

and I struggle to find

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no

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Ava: Gala

“Um, this is

a flush creep up my neck. He smiles then, holding my gaze with his own. “Thank you. I am quite happy to meet

this sort of thing,” I say, wanting to kick myself for sounding so inexperienced. Then again, what else could possibly be

in hosting the Lunar Gala this year. We are all excited to see the elusive Blackstone Pack here, though. It is quite the coup, as

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Gala (1)

all quite grand.” I can’t really say much else, considering that Dad’s been dragging me here, there, and everywhere. All I’ve managed to do is shake hands with people I don’t even know. “I’m glad to be here,” I

Dad, or Phoenix, or hold the Blackstone Pack in high esteem. Maybe he would be willing to

his glass toward me, then turns back to Dad. “What a lovely daughter you have, Beta Grey,” he

I can feel the tension radiating off of him, and I know he’s not happy with

handsome young man approaches our group, and I can feel my father’s grip tighten on my arm

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Ashbourne,” Dad says, his tone cold and

earlier respect for

steps forward, a vision in her midnight blue gown and wavy platinum blonde hair, a coy smile on her lips. “Hello, Beta. I am Jessa Grey, of the Blackstone Pack. It’s a pleasure to meet

his eyes flickering to me briefly before settling on Jessa. “Kellan Ashbourne, beta of the Westwood Pack. The

engage with Jessa, but to my surprise, he turns to me. His hand reaches out, and I extend my own without thinking. He

meet. He seems to be scrutinizing me as some sort of curious mystery, and I