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

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.

breathe, running my fingers along the back of the luxurious leather

didn’t he?”

hear me, because–well, they’re

storms after Kellan. “We don’t 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?”

beyond the glass. Skyscrapers pierce the sky, glinting in the afternoon sun. Cars

248

Life in

this height. People

It’s busy.

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

made my own.

From Selene.

like a contented cat. I keep reaching for her,

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 meant Selene was getting closer, that she’d found a way to reach me despite the distance. But as the hours tick by with no sign of

insidious and cold.

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

15.30

<

in Westwood (1)

leaves me

if I can will her into existence through sheer desperation. Please, Selene, I beg silently. Please be okay. I

sounds of the city and Lisa’s ongoing argument with

if he’s the alpha, Lucas doesn’t get to dictate every aspect of our lives!” Lisa’s voice cracks like a whip, jolting me out of my spiraling thoughts. “Ava’s been through

is our top priority. We can’t

former pack has me shuddering. Thinking of Mom and Dad makes me want to vomit, but it’s

978

in Westwood

my skin, the way his teeth dug into my

nightmares live in my head, rent–free. S~ᴇaʀᴄh

many times he’d spent kicking me when I was already 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

against the wave of

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

to it in a way that makes me almost want to shy away from the newly bloodthirsty urge in my soul–the one that wants to slaughter anyone who looks

wrong way.

change a lot of things, I guess.

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