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 like a

“Shit. It’s Kellan. Hold on, Ava, I have to

squeezes mine in a casual

11 22

C

Ava Missed Timing

breaks my heart.

a smile. “Of course.

to answer the call, I can’t help but berate myself for taking too damn

Stupid, stupid, stupid.

to end up being a cancer that ruins us.

heat

in

See?

Easy.

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

understand. This isn’t going to be a repeat of the night of the Gala. He won’t think you’re disgusting. He

for who you

It’s okay, Ava.

327

Missed

to be

my eyes closed, concentrating on the rhythm of oxygen filling

my breath stinks. That would

hand brushing against

hair

tenses, until it

I’m safe.

It’s just Lucas.

to 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 he’d rescue me in the future… but shit would be a hell of a lot easier right now if I didn’t have to worry about telling him

naale

an alpha from a

13 27

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Ava Missed Timing

me to

Damn. I didn’t think about

should get a phone call in… after I let Lucas

for this level of romantic entanglement in my life. I am not prepared. Not

concern. I guess my panic is showing. “You