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.

jaw sets in a way that I see far too often these days, and he gives up arguing with Lisa

Blackwood…”

While I’m doing better at standing up for

13:43

Negotiating the Invitation

be compared to my life.

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

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

that familiar feel of guilt to

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

were with me, I would pet her and hug her with gratitude. But she’s not, so I settle for sending her my intense feelings of

running a hand down his face. “Lucas is going to kill me,” he mutters under his breath, but I catch

through me. “He has no reason

13.43 –

Negotiating the Invitation

alpha’s mate,” Kellan

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

me, exasperated. “Denial only

Ava.”

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 a person.

him.”

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 possession. Even

Ava. A me without

13:43

Negotiating the Invitation

who isn’t judged by the standing of another

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

support bolsters me, straightening my spine. I meet

surrender. “Fine, fine. I’m trusting you to back me up

he knows I’m right. He knows I’m

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

not going to let it define me. I refuse to let

myself

Negotiating the Invitation.