96 Ava: Life in Westwood (I)
Lucas still calls me every night, but Lisa had helped encourage me to text him yesterday, asking for space, at least until he returns to Westwood.
I’m sure he gets hourly reports from all my guards, but at least I don’t have to worry about playing nice when I’m starting to feel resentful and frustrated, despite knowing I should be grateful for being saved.
I’m grateful to him for a lot. Having guards around should be a small price for all of this. It’s just hard.
“Welcome home!” Lisa exclaims as she flings open the door to her new apartment.
When Lisa said that Lucas had settled her into an
apartment, I’d expected something… I don’t know.
Normal?
This is far from normal.
The luxurious living room has been decorated in some
sort of eclectic, artistic mix of boho wall decor and minimalist furniture, leaving bright, wide open spaces with bright splashes of color and texture on the walls.
13:30
1/8
C
96 Ava. Life in Westwood (1)
Floor–to–ceiling windows flood the space with natural light, framed by curtains I’m afraid to even touch. How can curtains look so expensive?
A sleek kitchen gleams in the corner, all stainless steel appliances and marble countertops, with white
cabinets that are going to be a terrible experience to keep clean. It’s like the entire apartment was made with maid service in mind.
my fingers along the back of the luxurious leather couch. “Lucas really
didn’t he?”
me,
after Kellan. “We don’t need a guard dog watching our every move in here. What, you think someone’s going to scale
Skyscrapers pierce the sky, glinting in the afternoon sun. Cars crawl along the streets below, tiny
248
Ava Life in
People crowd the
It’s busy.
Grind
made my own.
From Selene.
long since I’ve heard her voice in my head, felt her presence curled around my mind like a contented cat. I keep reaching for her, hoping to brush against the familiar warmth of
it meant
insidious and cold.
she’s hurt, or worse? The thought makes my stomach
15.30
<
Life in Westwood
now. Her absence leaves me
I can will her into existence
the muted sounds of the city and
dictate every aspect of our lives!” Lisa’s voice cracks like a whip, jolting me out of my spiraling thoughts. “Ava’s been through enough. She deserves some goddamn
is our top priority. We can’t take any chances. Not all the Blackwoods are accounted for, and there’s a
Thinking of Mom and Dad makes me want to vomit, but
978
in Westwood (1)
teeth dug
to think about that odious little shit again, but his nightmares live in my head, rent–free. S~ᴇaʀᴄh the FindNʘᴠᴇl.nᴇt
hands over my head, waiting for the torment of my pack members to end. Of the day I’d resolved
I work at my jaw, fighting against the wave of
I fought back. And I won’t let anyone make me feel powerless again, not even the man who claims to
begin training tomorrow. Self–defense and more. I’m looking forward to it in a way that makes me almost want to shy away from the newly bloodthirsty urge in
wrong way.
will change a lot of things, I guess.
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