Tangled

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.

want to hate me, there’s

keep training. Improving. I’m going to get bruised, but eventually, I’ll be able

I get.

towel off and head for the showers, I can’t quite shake the unease prickling down my neck, making me

nowhere, which is–as far as I’m concerned–a specialty of hers. “I threw a girl

our limbs together in a familiar hug. Pain lances through my side,

waiting for

Ava: Surprise

mistake. She quickly withdraws her arm

bruises throb in protest, but I ignore them.

“I’m sore as hell, but it’s getting better. I think they went a little easier on me today–only a couple new bruises to add to the collection.”

My whole body

find myself smiling back at her, the knot in my chest loosening a bit. It’s a relief to see her spirits lifting again after the brutal introduction to shifter

I almost forgot!” Lisa bounces on her toes, eyes sparkling with sudden

certain I’ve misheard. “A party? Us?” Skepticism colors my tone. After the chilly reception from the Westwood wolves, a party invite seems

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Ava: Surprise Invitation

likely as a snowy

her arm through mine, undeterred, but this time careful not to smack against my injuries. “Chloe invited us. She said it’s like a monthly thing,

eyes, black hair, and a perfect nose. I turn red when I sweat; she does that whole glistening thing, where she just

after a workout.

a genuine olive branch, or some kind of setup? My experience with my birth pack

open and guileless. She’s been

normal for a night, to forget about

to let us go, of

course.

is it?” I ask, throwing concern to the abyss. We have Kellan and multiple bodyguards. It should be

13. 13.

5/8

Ava: Surprise Invitation.

pleading look, sensing my indecision. “Come on, Ava. It’ll be fun! We could both use a break from all this craziness, don’t you think? Maybe get to meet some people, make new friends here? We’ve been in limbo from the beginning. I think it’s time for that to change. It’ll be good for both of us.”

right. We’ve been training non–stop, barely a moment to breathe between

not sure how many more bruises I can take before I crack.

tone encouraging. You’ve earned a night of fun. I’ll keep watch, as

back, even if I can’t fully trust

yet.

a smile for Lisa. “Let’s do it. Party on Friday.”

my arm. “Yes! This is going to be

buoys me as we head for the showers, chattering about what we might wear and what to expect. For a moment, the weight

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