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

didn’t he?”

they don’t hear me, because–well, they’re

don’t need a guard dog watching our every move in

response, focusing instead on the sprawling cityscape beyond the glass. Skyscrapers pierce the sky, glinting in the afternoon sun. Cars crawl along the streets below, tiny and insignificant

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Ava Life in Westwood (1)

People

It’s busy.

away from Cedarwood. From the Novel Grind and its cozy

made my own.

From Selene.

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

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,

insidious and cold.

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

15.30

<

Life in

me feeling

will her into existence

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

dictate every aspect of our lives!” Lisa’s voice cracks like a whip, jolting me out of my spiraling thoughts. “Ava’s been through enough. She deserves some goddamn

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

vomit, but it’s the memories of Todd’s attack that flash behind my eyelids. The phantom pain of his

978

Life in Westwood

teeth dug into my neck

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

the torment of my pack members to end. Of the day I’d resolved to leave my pack. Of his

at my jaw, fighting against the

helpless girl anymore. I survived. I fought back. And I won’t let anyone make me feel powerless again,

looking forward 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 at

wrong way.

a lot of things, I guess.

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