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.

pride. Kellan’s jaw sets in a way that I see far too often

Blackwood…”

Interrupting 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

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Ava: Negotiating the Invitation

compared to my

forever, and things need to change. Sᴇaʀᴄh thᴇ ꜰindNʘvel.ɴet website on

At least I used to have a job and some

look bring that familiar feel of guilt to my stomach.

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

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

to kill me,” he

through me. “He

13.43 –

Negotiating

alpha’s mate,”

not his

exasperated. “Denial only goes

Ava.”

my own feelings not being clear. I clench my jaw, standing my ground. “No. I’m sick of this. I’m sick

him.”

father and my pack, dictating my every move. Now,

want to be Ava. A me without any

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Ava Negotiating the Invitation

by the standing of another

says in my mind, her presence a comforting warmth. Stand up

spine. I meet Kellan’s gaze

you to back me up when

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

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

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

myself when I lived

Negotiating