Tangled

128 Ava: A Frank Discussion

“Flutters from here to here?” Lisa motions with her

hand, encompassing her entire abdomen up to just beneath her breasts.

I nod.

“And your face tingles from the sound of his voice?”

I nod again.

“Things sound sexual even when they’re not?”

I blush.

“Yes. You’ve officially moved into flirtation territory.” Lisa picks her burger up, taking a huge bite with a groan of appreciation. After swallowing, she points it in my general direction. “Congratulations. This is your first crush.” Sᴇaʀch Thᴇ (ꜰind)ɴʘvel.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

“Not my first crush,” I murmur. There had been a few kids in class… Kids who weren’t mean or cruel, and who didn’t laugh at me.

But they always ended up with other girls. We barely exchanged hellos, and I’d dreamed up scenarios between us. Of me leaving my pack to live a human

17:49

1/9

128 Ava: A Frank Discussion

life, of giving up my wolf heritage.

Silly daydreams.

“First real one, then,” she amends.

He’s trying, Selene admits, her begrudging tone making me laugh.

I’m not sure if she’ll ever approve of him.

ភ

+51

I take a bite of my burger, savoring the juicy flavor as I chew. The quiet peace of the apartment wraps around us, comforting and sweet. No hovering Kellan, no

constant surveillance… Just blessed solitude, broken only by the crinkling of wrappers and Lisa’s soft chewing across from me.

Kellan must have gotten orders from Lucas to give us more space. He dropped off our food earlier with barely a word before heading out to handle important beta duties. I’m not complaining. Having the apartment to ourselves is a rare luxury.

thoughts. “So, what was up with that bizarre

mid–chew, the reminder sending a chill down

17

Ava: A Frank

spine. The message had been so unsettling. And then it had

shake my head slowly. “I

the last words Sister Miriam said to

sets her burger down, concern flashing across her

vampire, Selene

to light a candle and say

of it at the time, but-”

about the candle.” Lisa bites her lip. “How concerned

text aside, I don’t feel

to harm me.”

head up from her spot on the couch.

good idea to

But vampires are not inherently

17:49

39

A Frank

to think.

thoughts to Lisa, who pokes at her

to her.

kidnapped again? Get turned into a vampire?”

you’d be kidnapped

what about dying?”

plate away. Unlike her, my appetite isn’t diminished by the contents of our conversation, so I take another bite of my burger. I’ve been starving lately, probably

tell Lucas and Kellan about

watches me eat.

going to be a danger to your

we going to tell them?

17:40

A Frank Discussion

me about my weird existence and possibly my powers that shouldn’t exist?” I shake my head. “No, I’m not ready for that. I don’t

feel.”

won’t care.”

an unshifted wolf shifter is bad enough; all the stares and whispers get to me, no matter how much I try to shrug them off. “We aren’t mated yet. I won’t throw all my baggage on him.

that’s a great start to a long–term relationship. You should be able to rely on him, to

chew my food as slowly as I possibly can.

swallow with a sigh. “Okay. Yes. It’s probably unhealthy. But, Lise, I still don’t know if this

“Do you hate

“No.”

Ava: A Frank

hate you?”

“No.”

“Has he apologized?”

lips. “But I’m not sure if you can call breaking and entering part

Ava. You know I love you. And you know I hate this whole overprotective,

pushing Lucas away is what’s best, either. You’re