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.

word is, of course, calculated to sting at the beta’s pride. Kellan’s jaw sets in a way that I see far too often these days, and he gives up arguing with Lisa to turn to me, instead. “With

Blackwood…”

him before he can continue is the best way. While I’m doing better at standing up for myself, I’m not great at arguing when they bring up good points,

13:43

Ava: Negotiating

compared to

I disagree. It’s just that I can’t live like this forever, and things need to change.

me away forever. It’s worse than being home. At least I used

familiar feel of guilt to my

her voice in my mind soft and soothing. You are not wrong in the words you speak. Do not walk them

pet her and hug her with gratitude. But she’s not, so I settle for

is going to kill me,” he mutters under his breath,

through me. “He has no reason to.”

13.43 –

Negotiating the

alpha’s mate,” Kellan

my nerves like sandpaper. “I’m not his mate, Kellan. How many times do I have to say

exasperated. “Denial only goes so

Ava.”

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

him.”

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 possession. Even Clayton’s people had thought

want to be Ava. A me without

13:43

Negotiating

by the standing of

in my mind, her presence a comforting warmth.

bolsters me, straightening my spine. I meet Kellan’s

fine. I’m trusting you to

won’t,” I say firmly. “Because he knows I’m right. He knows I’m more than just his… whatever I am to

the words, doubt curls in my stomach. Lucas and I are complicated. We’re fated mates with an awkward history. The bond between us is undeniable, a living, breathing thing, and I can’t underestimate it. Like that day at the hospital, it will throw me into his arms in an effort to bring us together.

it define me. I refuse to let it be the only

learned a little about myself when

Ava: Negotiating the