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.

in a way that I see far too often these days,

Blackwood…”

best way. While I’m doing better at standing up for myself, I’m not great at arguing when they bring up good points, like how

13:43

Ava: Negotiating the

be compared to

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

being home. At least I used to have a job and some freedom

bring that familiar feel of guilt to

my mind soft and soothing. You are not wrong in the words you speak. Do not walk them back. It’s okay to feel the way you do.

her and hug her with gratitude. But she’s not, so I settle for sending her my intense feelings of love and appreciation through our bond.

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

through me. “He

13.43 –

Ava: Negotiating the Invitation

the alpha’s mate,” Kellan

against my nerves like sandpaper. “I’m not his mate, Kellan. How many times

at me, exasperated. “Denial only goes

Ava.”

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

him.”

man, a bond I never asked for. First, it was my father and my pack, dictating my every move. Now, it’s Lucas and

to be Ava. A me without

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Ava Negotiating the

isn’t judged by the standing

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

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

in surrender. “Fine, fine. I’m trusting you to

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

say 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,

going to let it define me. I refuse to let it be the only thing that

a little about myself when I lived in

Ava: Negotiating the Invitation.