Tangled

67 Ava: Their Plans (I)

Every day that passes is a slight uptick in my stress level. Mom and Dad are never home, busy with something. I haven’t seen Phoenix since the day we spoke in the kitchen. And Jessa has been less than receptive over talking about future plans with me.

The fragile alliance feels like it’s crackling away beneath my fingers, like old paper that disintegrates

with the faintest touch.

So when Phoenix comes by without Jessa around, dismissing my guards, my heart jumps into my throat. It’s hard to swallow the water I’d just sipped out of one of mom’s coffee mugs.

“Hi.”

“Hey.” Phoenix looks me over, rubbing his left brow in a mannerism that’s new to me. “They’re planning the mating ceremony for next week. Mom’s in charge.”

“Oh.”

What else is there to say? We all knew it was coming.

It’s odd how peace flows through me at the

12:40

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67 Ava: Their Plans (1)

announcement. It’s like my body understands that I’m either going to escape or die trying, because there’s no way in hell I’ll ever let Alpha Renard near me like that.

“Have they sent you to the healer yet?”

I shake my head. “I haven’t heard a word about any of

this.”

Phoenix sits at the kitchen table, so I sit across from him, setting my glass of water aside. The tightness in my throat makes it too hard to swallow. “How much do you know about the pack situation, Ava?”

My lips quirk up into a mocking smile. “How often do you think people inform me about anything, Phoenix?”

He nods slightly, acknowledging my words but otherwise unmoved by them. It’s just a clear indicator that he’s only here for his own interests. Despite everything, he’s not here to save his sister. He’s not here to care about me, or what happens to me.

to keep his position

heart hurts, even around the walls I’ve built to keep

<

Their Plans (1)

beta or another high–ranking shifter

after Lucas

tainted. Was it all pack politics?

give me a moment to process as he continues, “Westwood’s been accusing us of

is that they’re

the conversation between him

sense.

rogues encroaching on

now as there is no clear evidence of a war brewing between each pack.” His brown eyes, cold like Dad’s, bore into mine.

12:46

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Their Plans (1)

a year or more,

large–scale

nod to indicate that I understand, even as I’m confused he’s telling me

aggressiveness has increased since the Lunar Gala.

body

that you were with him in the garden, and

Ava?”

my head. “Nothing. I didn’t know who he was, and he was flirting with me. Once he found out my name, he left.” I hide the rest of the truth.

Once we heard that,

was.”

explains the sudden shifter presence

Ava Their Plans (1)

watching me must have been trying to see if I was masking my scent–either that, or I’m

have happened in

alpha told us to leave you alone, that searching for

to roll my eyes at the blatant gaslighting, but I just

developed a keen interest in bringing you back. I was in charge of it all. I even went to find your friend at your little job, and she didn’t

Go, Lisa!

thinks they know about our plans. Are you sure you haven’t let anything slip?” Sᴇaʀch Thᴇ FindNøvᴇl.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access

firm

5/7

Their

Phoenix. I never got a chance. The moment he realized who I was, he turned into a different person.” That

whatsoever.

be able to smell it on me,