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.

a way that I see far too often these days, and he gives up arguing with Lisa to turn to me,

Blackwood…”

doing better at standing up for myself, I’m not great at arguing when they

13:43

Ava: Negotiating the

might be compared to

live like this forever, and things need to change. Sᴇaʀᴄh thᴇ ꜰindNʘvel.ɴet website

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

and agonized look bring that familiar feel of guilt to

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

But she’s not, so I settle for sending her my intense feelings of love and appreciation

face. “Lucas is going to kill me,”

me. “He has

13.43 –

Negotiating the

the alpha’s mate,” Kellan

“I’m not his mate, Kellan.

looks at me, exasperated. “Denial only

Ava.”

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 a person. My name is Ava. Not ‘Lucas’s mate. I’m more than just an accessory to

him.”

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

want to be Ava. A me without

13:43

Negotiating the

by the

Selene says in my mind, her presence a

spine. I meet Kellan’s gaze

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

I’m right. He knows I’m more

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

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

little about myself

Ava: Negotiating