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

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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.

“So, what was up with that bizarre text you got

the reminder sending a chill

17

A Frank

been so unsettling. And then it had just vanished. Like it

slowly. “I don’t know. It sounds similar

the last words Sister Miriam said to

across her face. “Okay,

underestimate a vampire,

Miriam left, she told me to light a candle and say her name, and she’ll find

of it at the

Lisa bites her lip. “How concerned

know. Creepy text aside, I don’t feel like she’s

to harm

to harm you, she wouldn’t have sent a text message. Selene perks her head up from her spot on the couch. It sounds like she has information she wants to share

if it’s a good idea

not. But vampires are not inherently evil, as

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39

Ava: A Frank Discussion

seem to

Selene’s thoughts to Lisa, who pokes at her burger in

think you should try to reach out to her. What’s the worst that can happen?”

kidnapped again? Get turned into a vampire?”

your luck is so bad that you’d be kidnapped again? There has to be

what about dying?”

so

tell Lucas and Kellan about Sister Miriam?”

her hand as she watches me eat. “I know

to be a danger to your life…”

are we going to tell them? That she

17:40

Ava: A

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

feel.”

probably won’t

no matter how much I try to shrug them off. “We aren’t mated yet. I won’t throw all my baggage on

relationship. You should be able to rely on him, to tell

I possibly can. She stares,

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

“Do you

“No.”

Ava: A Frank Discussion

hate you?”

“No.”

“Has he apologized?”

back to Cedarwood for a moment, a faint. smile twitching my lips. “But I’m not sure if you can call breaking and entering part

counts. Look, Ava. You know I love you. And you know I

what’s best, either. You’re going to have to tell him all your secrets