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.
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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 all
didn’t he?”
hear me, because–well, they’re
the clatter of her -heels against the hardwood as she storms after Kellan. “We don’t need a guard dog watching our every move
out Kellan’s gruff response, focusing instead on the sprawling cityscape beyond the glass. Skyscrapers pierce the sky, glinting in the afternoon sun. Cars
248
in Westwood (1)
this height. People crowd the
It’s busy.
From the Novel Grind and its cozy charm. From the little apartment I’d
made my own.
From Selene.
my mind like a contented cat. I keep reaching for
I’d hoped it meant Selene was getting closer, that she’d found a way to reach me despite the distance.
insidious and cold.
hurt, or worse? The thought makes my stomach twist, bile rising in my throat. I
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Life in Westwood (1)
leaves me feeling
if I can will her into existence through sheer desperation. Please, Selene, I beg silently. Please be
just the muted sounds of the city and Lisa’s ongoing
dictate every aspect of our lives!” Lisa’s voice cracks like a
top priority. We
me want to vomit, but it’s the memories of Todd’s attack that flash behind my eyelids. The phantom pain of his claws.
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Ava Life in Westwood (1)
across my skin, the way his teeth dug
about that odious little shit again, but his nightmares live in my head, rent–free. S~ᴇaʀᴄh the FindNʘᴠᴇl.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access
head, waiting for the torment of my pack members to
my jaw, fighting against the wave of nausea. No, never
scared, helpless girl anymore. I survived. I fought back. And I won’t let anyone make me feel powerless again, not even the
almost want to shy away from the newly bloodthirsty urge in my soul–the one that wants to slaughter anyone who looks at
wrong way.
dying will change a lot of things, I guess.
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