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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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.

back of the luxurious leather couch. “Lucas really went all out,

didn’t he?”

hear me, because–well, they’re still arguing.

the hardwood as she storms after Kellan. “We don’t need a guard dog watching our every move in here. What, you think

tune out Kellan’s gruff response, focusing instead on the sprawling cityscape beyond the glass. Skyscrapers pierce the sky, glinting in

248

Life in Westwood

height. People crowd

It’s busy.

away from Cedarwood. From the Novel Grind and its cozy charm. From the little apartment

made my own.

From Selene.

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

at such a rate that I’d truly expected to hear Selene in my head any day now, assuming it was a side effect of our bond. I’d hoped it

insidious and cold.

my stomach twist, bile rising

15.30

<

Ava: Life in Westwood (1)

me

the cool glass, squeezing my eyes shut as if I can will her into existence through sheer desperation. Please, Selene, I beg silently. Please be okay. I need you.

no answer, just the muted sounds of the

cracks like a whip, jolting me out of my spiraling

the responsibility -he carries. “Lisa, I understand your frustration. But Ava’s safety is our top priority. We can’t take any chances.

me want to vomit, but it’s the memories of Todd’s attack

978

in

his teeth dug

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

hands over my head, waiting for the torment of my pack members to end. Of the day I’d resolved to leave my pack. Of his nasty

against the wave of nausea. No, never

I survived. I fought back. And I won’t let anyone make me feel powerless again, not even the man

training tomorrow. Self–defense and more. I’m looking forward to it in a way that makes me almost want to

wrong way.

will change a lot of things, I guess.

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