Tangled

Chapter 96

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

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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.

running my fingers along the back of the luxurious leather couch. “Lucas really went

didn’t he?”

me,

need a guard dog watching our every move in here. What, you think someone’s going to scale fifteen stories and bust through the window?”

glass. Skyscrapers pierce the sky, glinting

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Life in Westwood (1)

height. People crowd the

It’s busy.

world away from Cedarwood. From the Novel Grind and its cozy

made my own.

From Selene.

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 her consciousness, but there’s only silence. A void where she should be.

of our bond. I’d hoped it meant Selene was getting closer, that she’d found

insidious and cold.

to her? What if she’s hurt, or worse? The thought makes my stomach twist,

15.30

<

Life in Westwood

leaves me feeling only half myself.

I can will her into existence

the muted sounds of the city and Lisa’s ongoing argument

every aspect of our lives!” Lisa’s voice cracks like

frustration. But Ava’s safety is our top priority. We can’t take any chances. Not all the Blackwoods are accounted for, and there’s a good chance they’ll

Thinking of Mom and Dad makes me want to vomit, but it’s the memories of Todd’s attack that flash

978

in Westwood

his teeth dug into

but his nightmares live in my head, rent–free. S~ᴇaʀᴄh the FindNʘᴠᴇl.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest

curled up on the floor, hands over my head, waiting for the torment of my pack members to end. Of the day I’d resolved to leave my

at my jaw, fighting against the wave

that scared, helpless girl anymore. I survived. I fought back. And I won’t let anyone make me feel powerless again, not even the man who claims to be -my mate.

and I 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 my soul–the

wrong way.

dying will change a lot of things, I guess.

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

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