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-”

phone rings, the sudden sound shattering the moment like a rock through a

frowns, glancing at the screen. “Shit. It’s Kellan. Hold on, Ava, I have to take this.

squeezes mine in a casual intimacy that

11 22

C

Missed Timing

breaks my heart.

smile. “Of course.

I can’t help

Stupid, stupid, stupid.

end up being a cancer that

hard. Hey, Lucas, I happen to have an insane heat

out in

See?

Easy.

chest, I rest my forehead against them and breathe long, slow breaths as my abdomen protests

be a repeat

be accepted for

It’s okay, Ava.

327

Ava: Missed

going to be

anxiety lessens with repeated controlled breathing. I settle into the silence with my eyes closed, concentrating on the rhythm of oxygen

breath stinks. That would be embarrassing. I

of a hand

hair

At first, my body tenses, until it

I’m safe.

It’s just Lucas.

happen

Lucas. His face is so gentle that my heart aches, and I curse my past self for taking our connection so lightly. Granted, the man rejected me, and how was I supposed to know that

naale

virginity to an alpha from a

13 27

<

Missed Timing

alpha who wants me

safe. Damn. I didn’t

a phone call in… after I let Lucas know of his existence.

life. I am not prepared.

murmurs, his brows furrowing with concern. I