Tangled

86 Ava: Missed Timing

86 Ava: Missed Timing

The warmth of our linked fingers burn my skin with a thousand unspoken accusations that prickle at my

conscience.

“I didn’t stop looking. I had scouts in the area, keeping an eye on your father’s home as much as they could, but we’ve historically had a problem keeping any scouts alive in Blackwood territory. We escalated the issues we had, brought our problems to Council, trying

to escalate the situation so we could infiltrate. It took S~ᴇaʀᴄh the FɪndNøvel.ɴᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

a long time before we got the evidence we needed. I hated it, but I couldn’t risk a war with the Council without anything to back up my actions.”

As Lucas recounts his efforts to find me, I can’t help but tune out, stressing over the seerets that I never

felt were secrets at the time.

Now, with this fragile peace between us–after he’s sacrificed in order to save me…

It seems like a pretty fucking shitty move to say nothing, no matter how innocent it was.

I should tell him. I know I should.

86 Ava: Missed Timing

But the words catch in my throat, tangled with a web of emotions I can’t seem to untangle. How will he react when he learns that I sought refuge from my heat with another alpha? Will he see it as a betrayal? A violation

of our fated bond?

When Selene and I spoke, it seemed so simple. He rejected me, so he has no right to be upset.

Now?

With his fingers linked through mine?

With me, alive, here, in his territory?

The thought of losing his trust, of shattering the fragile. connection that’s blooming between us, fills me with dread. And yet, keeping secrets from him feels like a disservice to what he’s done for me.

I take a deep breath, steeling my resolve. “Lucas, there’s something I need to tell you about-”

rings, the sudden sound shattering the moment

“Shit. It’s Kellan. Hold on, Ava, I have to take this. I’ll be

in a casual intimacy that

11 22

C

Missed

breaks my heart.

force a smile. “Of course. Go ahead.”

away to answer the call, I can’t help

Stupid, stupid, stupid.

being a cancer that

Lucas, I happen to have an insane heat

in hard times.

See?

Easy.

knees to my chest, I rest my forehead against them and breathe long, slow breaths

You can do this. It won’t shatter everything. Lucas will understand. This isn’t going to be a repeat of the night of the Gala. He won’t think you’re disgusting. He won’t think you’re a

still be accepted for who you

It’s okay, Ava.

327

Ava: Missed

to

anxiety lessens with repeated controlled breathing. I settle into the silence with my eyes closed, concentrating on the rhythm of oxygen filling my lungs, and the soft exhale each

wonder if my breath stinks. That would be

of a hand brushing against my

hair

out of my forced peace. At first, my body tenses, until it catches up to my brain and the welcome scent

I’m safe.

It’s just Lucas.

to happen to

aches, and I curse my past self for taking our connection so lightly. Granted, the man rejected me, and how was

naale

alpha from a different naok

13 27

<

Ava Missed

wants me

I’m safe. Damn. I didn’t

I should get a phone call in… after I let Lucas know of his

I was not equipped for this level of romantic entanglement in my life. I am not prepared. Not trained. I haven’t read enough romance novels. I need to do

he murmurs, his brows furrowing with concern. I guess