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.

to hate me, there’s little I can

going to get

as I

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

of nowhere, which is–as far as I’m concerned–a specialty of hers. “I threw a girl called Anneliese today. She told me

tender ribs as she loops our limbs together in a familiar hug. Pain lances through my side, stealing my breath for

I grit my teeth, waiting for

Ava: Surprise Invitation

she realizes her mistake. She quickly withdraws her

in protest, but I ignore them. “How about you? Hanging in there?”

went a little easier on

I mutter, only half–joking. My whole body feels like one giant contusion.

my chest loosening a bit. It’s a relief to see her spirits lifting again after the brutal introduction to shifter

her toes, eyes sparkling with sudden excitement. “Guess what? We got invited

my tone. After the chilly

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Ava: Surprise

a

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

nose. I turn red when I sweat; she does that whole glistening

after a workout.

of setup? My experience with my birth pack

looks so hopeful, her face open and guileless. She’s been through a lot because

thing. A chance to feel normal for a

we can convince Kellan to let us

course.

I ask, throwing concern to the abyss. We have Kellan and

13. 13.

5/8

Surprise Invitation.

me a 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

been training non–stop, barely a moment to breathe between sessions.

stronger, I’m not sure how many more

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

my back, even if I

yet.

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

squeal, squeezing my arm. “Yes! This is going to be amazing, Ava.

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

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