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.

sting at the beta’s pride. Kellan’s jaw sets in a way that I see far too often these days, and he gives up arguing with Lisa to turn to me, instead. “With the situation

Blackwood…”

at standing up for myself,

13:43

Ava: Negotiating the Invitation

compared to

change. Sᴇaʀᴄh

being home. At least I

familiar feel of guilt

Selene says, her voice in my mind soft and soothing. You are not wrong in the words you speak. Do not walk them back. It’s

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

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

“He

13.43 –

Ava: Negotiating the Invitation

the alpha’s mate,”

sandpaper. “I’m not his mate,

looks at me, exasperated. “Denial

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

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 fragile, like I’m someone’s possession. Even Clayton’s people had thought of me as his future

just want to be Ava. A me without

13:43

Negotiating the Invitation

judged by the

mind, her presence a comforting

meet Kellan’s gaze

holds up his hands in surrender. “Fine, fine. I’m trusting you to back me up

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

as I 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, and I can’t underestimate it. Like that day at the hospital, it will throw me into his arms in an effort

I refuse to let it be the only

about myself when I lived in

Ava: Negotiating