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.

keep his position

the walls I’ve built

<

Ava: Their

of attending college. His plan was for her to mate with the beta or

in my seat. Was this before or after Lucas suddenly

his actions feel somehow tainted. Was it all pack politics?

to process as he continues, “Westwood’s been

they’re

Now the conversation between him and Dad makes

sense.

rogues encroaching on our side,

brewing between each pack.” His brown eyes, cold like Dad’s, bore into mine. “That’s what’s kept peace here so

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Ava: Their

on for a year or more,

any large–scale conflicts

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

increased since the Lunar Gala.

body

you were with him in the garden, and

Ava?”

“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

you. Once we heard that, we put every pack

was.”

explains the sudden

67 Ava Their Plans

searching. The ones in the Novel Grind watching me must have been

must have happened in

disappeared, the alpha told us to leave you alone, that searching for you

to roll my eyes at the blatant gaslighting, but I

of the territory, things changed, and Alpha Renard developed a keen interest in bringing you back. I was in charge of it all. I even went to find your friend at

Go, Lisa!

our plans. Are you sure you haven’t let anything slip?”

again, in firm denial. “I

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Their Plans

The moment he realized who I was, he turned into a different person.” That much is truth, without

whatsoever.

smell it on me, because he