Tangled

10 Ava: Freedom

I make it two days before I give up and call Lisa, ten minutes before her shift. She doesn’t answer the first time, so I call again. This time, she picks up, and her annoyed voice brings tears to my eyes.

“Hello?” that wonderful voice snaps into my ear, suspicious and guarded. She thinks I’m a robocaller.

“Hey, Lise.” Somehow, I manage to sound normal.

“Ava? This isn’t your number. Did you lose your phone?”

I pick at the inseam of my jeans, staring out the train window, focusing on the rolling hills beyond the raindrops splattered against my window. I’ve switched trains a few times and bought multiple tickets at each station, just in case someone figures out how I left the city. In the end, I’ve managed to take an odd, loopy route that has me now in Washington. “Yeah. Look, if anyone from my family tries to contact you… Um. God, this is going to be a lot that I can’t explain before your shift starts, but the main thing is that if my family contacts you, tell them you don’t know anything. Save

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10 Ava: Freedom.

this number under a random name. Call me Ashley or

something.”

“Okay.”

Her instant acceptance warms my heart. My nose tingles as a few tears escape, sliding down my cheeks. It’s enough to take the edge off that pain in my chest that refuses to leave, as though something important is

missing.

It has to just be in my head, though, right…? If he was my fated mate, he would have never looked at me the way he did. I’ve never heard of a fated who hates their mate. Even the abusive ones.

he is. It’s a knowledge deep in my

Damn it.

let me go that easy.” Or maybe they’ll just be happy to get

just in shock. I can’t believe you ran away. I want

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10 Ava: Freedom

will you come

bite my

“Never?!”

never told you, and I promise I’ll explain it all. But the first thing is the most important. I’m not human, Lise. Not exactly, anyway. My entire family, we’re shifters. I’m from

the entire area?” Her voice is a higher pitch that normal, but

screaming.

down my back. What if she doesn’t want to talk to me anymore? I know I had pre–mourned her several days before, convincing myself that I had to leave her behind for her safety. But after everything–I need a friend. Someone on my side.

half–laugh sounds from my phone.

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10 Ava: Freedom

care about that. I’m just… processing. Holy shit. The Blackwoods.

to move

“Mmhmm.”

not answered

neck down until I resemble a turtle. “I know. I’m sorry. I ditched

will… Oh, shit, hold on. Fuck, Shelby just poked her head in here and stared at me. I need to clock in. Look, Ave. I’ll save your number, and we are going to talk, okay? Should I get a

around here.”

no idea. Oh, God. I hope

Are you safe right now? God, Shelby’s right here. I have to go, but I need to know

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10 Ava: Freedom

nod, even though she can’t see me. “I’m safe,” I promise, hoping I’m

girl. I’ll call you as soon

mouth. This is why I gave in. This was what my broken, bleeding heart needed. Love. Not rejection. Not my family. Not him. “I know. I love you,