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 couch. “Lucas really

didn’t he?”

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

she storms after Kellan. “We don’t need a guard dog watching our every move in here. What, you think someone’s going to scale

on the sprawling cityscape beyond the glass. Skyscrapers pierce the

248

Ava Life in Westwood

People crowd the streets.

It’s busy.

away from Cedarwood. From the Novel Grind and its

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 void where she

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 her,

insidious and cold.

if she’s hurt, or worse? The thought makes my stomach twist, bile rising

15.30

<

in Westwood

leaves me feeling only half

against the cool glass, squeezing my eyes shut as if I can will her into existence through sheer desperation. Please, Selene, I beg

the muted sounds of the city and Lisa’s

cracks like a whip, jolting me out of my spiraling thoughts. “Ava’s been through enough. She deserves

understand your frustration. But Ava’s safety is our top priority. We can’t take any chances. Not all the Blackwoods are accounted

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

978

Ava Life in Westwood

way his teeth dug into my neck and shoulders.

but his nightmares live in my head, rent–free.

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

I work at my jaw, fighting against the wave of nausea. No,

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

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

wrong way.

lot of things, I guess.

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

Comments ()

0/255