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.

way that I see far too often these days, and

Blackwood…”

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

13:43

Negotiating the Invitation

might be compared to

I disagree. It’s just that I can’t live like this forever, and things need to change. Sᴇaʀᴄh thᴇ ꜰindNʘvel.ɴet website on Gøøglᴇ

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

bring that familiar feel

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

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

“Lucas is going to kill me,” he

me. “He has no

13.43 –

Ava: Negotiating the

alpha’s mate,” Kellan

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

me, exasperated. “Denial only goes so far,

Ava.”

anything 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 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

him.”

and my pack,

to be Ava.

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Negotiating the

Someone who isn’t judged by the standing of another

my mind, her presence a comforting

me, straightening my spine. I meet Kellan’s

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

knows I’m right. He knows I’m more than just his…

fated mates with an awkward history. The bond between us is undeniable, a living, breathing

define me. I refuse

a little about myself when I lived

Negotiating the Invitation.