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

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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.

wants to keep

even around the walls I’ve built to keep it safe.

<

Ava: Their

was for her to mate with the beta or another high–ranking shifter in the pack, but Westwood sent her back home,

in my seat. Was this before or after Lucas suddenly decided

of his actions feel somehow tainted. Was it all pack

moment to process as he continues, “Westwood’s been accusing us of attacking their

they’re being attacked by rogue

between him and Dad makes

sense.

rogues encroaching on

there is no clear evidence of a war brewing between

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Their Plans

has been going on for a

any large–scale conflicts between

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

increased since the Lunar Gala. Why?”

body stiffens.

the garden, and he

Ava?”

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

get information on you. Once we heard that, we put every pack in the Northwestern Territories on alert for you. We needed to find you and see

was.”

explains the sudden

67 Ava Their Plans

must have been out searching. The ones in the Novel Grind watching me must have been trying to see if I

must have happened in the garden, Ava.

you first disappeared, the alpha told us to leave you alone,

I want to roll my eyes at the blatant gaslighting, but I just keep listening, wanting to know more.

things changed, and Alpha Renard developed a keen interest in bringing you back. I

Go, Lisa!

our plans. Are you sure you haven’t let anything slip?” Sᴇaʀch Thᴇ FindNøvᴇl.nᴇt website on

again, in firm denial. “I didn’t tell

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Their Plans

a chance. The moment he realized who I was,

whatsoever.

must be able to smell it on me,