Tangled

Chapter 124

124 Ava: Surprise Invitation

Easier said than done. But I try to clear my head, to let my body take over. Slipping to the side, I evade a vicious right hook. There–an opening. It’s classic and obvious and it might be a trap, but I dart forward, inside his reach, and drive my elbow into his solar plexus.

He grunts, doubling over. Not letting up, I grab his arm and pivot, using his own momentum to flip him over my hip. He hits the mat hard, the breath knocked out

of him.

For a second, I just stand there, stunned. Holy shit, did I actually just do that? A slow grin spreads across my face.

“Good!” Amara calls out. “That’s enough for now.”

We break apart, both of us panting and sweaty. I glance over at my opponent, expecting to see grudging respect or even surprise. Instead, fury contorts his face, his eyes flashing with barely contained rage.

A chill runs through me. Did I just make an enemy?

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124 Ava: Surprise Invitation

Anxiety claws at my throat; I know what it means to have a pack who detests me. Even with the guards Lucas has me under, I have no faith that I’m safe if I’m hated by everyone in Westwood.

I know what happens in the shadows.

Before I can smooth things over, the shifter–I think his name might be Ben or something–bows, his

expression smoothing into polite neutrality. “Thank you for the match,” he says stiffly. Then he turns on his heel and stalks away, leaving me staring after him in confusion.

Did I imagine that look? I replay the moment in my head, trying to pinpoint what I saw. But with each passing second, I grow less certain. Maybe it was just the heat of the fight, the sting of being bested. Surely he doesn’t actually hate me for throwing him once… right?

You did well, Selene says, her voice warm with approval. Don’t let one surly pup shake your confidence.

Shaking off my worries, I take a deep breath, trying to ignore the throbbing in my jaw. It reaches deep into

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my car. My ribs ache every time I breathe, but I fill my lungs anyway, before consciously relaxing my body, one muscle group at a time.

Selene’s right. I can’t control how others react to me.

to hate me, there’s little I can do about

going to get bruised, but eventually, I’ll be able to give back as

as I get.

the showers, I can’t quite shake the unease prickling

“I threw a girl

arm collides with my tender ribs as she loops our limbs together in a familiar hug. Pain lances through my

waiting for

Surprise

widen as she realizes her mistake. She quickly withdraws her arm from

up with effort. The bruises throb in protest, but I ignore them. “How about you?

undimmed. “I’m sore as hell, but it’s getting better. I think they went a little easier on me today–only a couple

My whole body

contagious, and I find myself smiling back at her, the knot in my chest loosening a bit. It’s a relief to see her

Lisa bounces on her toes, eyes sparkling with sudden excitement.

“A party? Us?” Skepticism colors my tone. After the chilly reception

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Surprise

as a snowy Independence

not to smack against my injuries. “Chloe invited us. She said it’s like a monthly thing, a chance for the

I turn red when I sweat; she does

after a workout.

olive branch, or some kind of setup? My experience with my birth pack has made me wary

open and guileless. She’s been through a

feel normal for a

can convince Kellan to

course.

We have Kellan and multiple bodyguards. It

13. 13.

5/8

Ava: Surprise

craziness, don’t you think? Maybe get to meet some people, make new friends here? We’ve been in

non–stop, barely a moment to breathe between

be stronger, I’m not sure how many more bruises I can take

mind, her tone encouraging. You’ve earned a night of fun. I’ll

have my back, even

yet.

mustering a smile for Lisa. “Let’s do it. Party

my arm. “Yes! This is

the showers, chattering about what we might wear and what to expect. For a moment, the weight

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