Tangled

125 Ava: Negotiating the Invitation

125 Ava: Negotiating the Invit tion

The ominous text halts me in place, and Lisa peers over my shoulder.

“A candle?” she asks, confused.

Oh, right–I haven’t spoken to her yet about my revelation of Sister Miriam’s words at our parting. Only

Selene knows.

Catching Lisa’s eye, I give a quick shake of my head and slide the phone into my pocket. Kellan’s in the distance, walking toward us.

Lisa, as quick–thinking as ever, grabs onto my arm again and returns to her ruminations about the party. By the time the beta’s near us, his face is

thunderclouds and lightning.

“No way,” he announces, before Lisa can even say anything.

Undeterred, Lisa stands straight, toe–to–toe with him in a way I see far too often. These two will never get along. “I’m not asking, Beta Ashbourne. I’m informing you. Friday will be busy. We’re going to a party.”

125 Ava: Negotiating the Invitation.

“Absolutely not.”

“Stop treating us like prisoners!”

“You aren’t prisoners,” he refutes immediately. “We’re doing our best to keep you safe. A party? That’s not safe.”

“That’s not safe,” she mimics, rolling her eyes. “So, what, we’re going to be stuck in my apartment forever? We can’t live at all? Can’t do anything? Because to me, it sounds like you’re saying Westwood is a bunch of weak–ass wolves who can’t protect two little girls in their own territory.”

She’s a spitfire, Selene approves, back in my head again. Her marathon must be over.

is, of course, calculated to sting at the beta’s pride. Kellan’s jaw sets in a way that I see far too often

Blackwood…”

standing up for myself, I’m not

13:43

Ava: Negotiating the Invitation

compared to my

to change. Sᴇaʀᴄh thᴇ ꜰindNʘvel.ɴet website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in

than being home. At least I used to have

that familiar feel of guilt

my mind soft and soothing. You are not wrong in the

she were with me, I would pet her and hug her with gratitude. But she’s not, so I

a hand down his face. “Lucas is going to kill me,”

“He

13.43 –

Negotiating

the alpha’s mate,” Kellan

not his mate, Kellan. How many times do I have to say

looks at me, exasperated. “Denial only

Ava.”

anything other than my supposed rank. The one they’ve already decided on, despite my own feelings not being clear. I clench my jaw, standing my ground. “No. I’m sick of this. I’m sick of constantly being thought of as his mate instead of being treated like

him.”

me, heated and sharp. I’m so tired of my identity being tied to a man, a bond I never asked for. First, it was my father and my pack, dictating my every move. Now, it’s Lucas and his pack, treating me like I’m fragile, like I’m someone’s

want to be Ava. A me without any

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Negotiating the Invitation

Someone who isn’t judged by the

Selene says in my mind, her presence

straightening my spine. I meet Kellan’s gaze head–on, refusing to back down.

holds up his hands in surrender. “Fine, fine. I’m trusting you to back

say firmly. “Because he knows I’m right. He knows I’m more than just his… whatever I am

The bond between us is undeniable, a living, breathing thing, and I can’t underestimate it. Like that day

let it define me. I refuse to let it

a little about myself when

Negotiating