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.

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.

Blackwood…”

Interrupting him before he can continue is the best way. While I’m doing better at standing up for myself, I’m not great at arguing when they bring up good points,

13:43

Ava: Negotiating the Invitation

compared to

live like this forever, and things need to change. Sᴇaʀᴄh thᴇ ꜰindNʘvel.ɴet website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels

hide me away forever. It’s worse than being home. At least

flinch and agonized look bring that familiar feel of

wrong in the words you speak. Do not walk them back. It’s okay to feel the way

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

to kill me,” he mutters under his

through me. “He

13.43 –

Ava: Negotiating

mate,” Kellan

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

me, exasperated. “Denial only goes

Ava.”

being clear. I clench my jaw, standing my ground. “No. I’m sick of this. I’m sick of constantly being thought

him.”

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

want to be Ava. A me without any

13:43

Ava Negotiating the

who isn’t judged by the standing of another wolf.

my mind, her presence

me, straightening my spine. I meet Kellan’s gaze

you to back me up when

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

undeniable, a living, breathing thing, and I can’t underestimate it. Like that day at the hospital, it will throw me into his arms

not going to let it define me. I refuse to

a little about myself

Ava: Negotiating