Tangled

131 Ava: The Party (II)

Breathe, Selene reminds me, her voice cutting through the chaos. You’re okay. Just take it one step at a time.

I inhale deeply, letting the air fill my lungs before exhaling slowly.

Lisa tugs on my arm again, pointing towards the kitchen. “Let’s get something to drink,” she suggests, already moving in that direction.

I follow her through the crowd, keeping my eyes fixed on the back of her head. The kitchen is quieter, the music muffled by the walls and the hum of

conversation. A few shifters are gathered around the island, pouring drinks and chatting amongst themselves.

Lisa grabs two plastic cups from the stack on the counter, handing one to me before turning to the array of bottles lined up beside the sink. “What do you want?” she asks, her gaze flicking over the labels.

“Just water,” I remind her, echoing Kellan’s earlier instructions.

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131 Ava: The Party (II)

She rolls her eyes but reaches for a pitcher of water anyway, filling both of our cups. “You’re no fun,” she teases, taking a sip from her own.

I shrug, lifting my cup to my lips. The water is cold and crisp, soothing my parched throat. I hadn’t realized how thirsty I was until now.

As I drink, I let my gaze wander around the kitchen, taking in the faces of the shifters gathered there. A few of them look vaguely familiar, but most are strangers.

her gaze m

One girl catches my eye, her gaze meeting mine over the rim of her cup. She’s tall and slender, with long dark hair that falls in waves down her back. There’s something about the way she holds herself, the tilt of her chin and the set of her shoulders, that speaks of confidence and power.

She smiles at me, a slow, lazy curl of her lips that sends a shiver down my spine. I look away quickly, my cheeks heating.

murmurs, a hint of

her voice.

of water to hide my

Ava: The Party (II)

flush.

the smirk in her

are.

can ask, Lisa grabs my arm again, her eyes bright with

the doorway. “I think I see

in my hand. The music washes over me again, the beat pulsing through my veins. Lisa weaves

crowd with ease, her steps

confident.

from the gym, their faces breaking into smiles of recognition, I push those thoughts aside. Tonight, I’m just Ava. Not the Alpha’s mate, not a pawn in some political game. Just a

seen such friendly looks on their faces,

The

shoulders.

waving at Lisa. “Come over

and bright blue eyes. I don’t remember her name, but Lisa does, dragging me behind her as she squeals. “Hey, Mia! We barely got

male shifters I’ve seen watching me

scowling from the sidelines. “We get crazy, but not too crazy. The alpha would have our

me with her elbow. “Sounds

wink in my direction. “Can’t believe

single she–wolf has been salivating over him

jokes, and several of the shifters

17:51 –

The Party (II)

not sure how to respond, so I keep awkwardly quiet as yet another familiar face from the gym- someone else whose name I can’t

slip around until my back is to

one seems to notice me or care that I’m there, and I’m grateful for it.

almost no

still fixed on me. There’s something

voice a soothing presence in my mind. She’s just curious about you.

snort. Just a few moments earlier she’d been amused by the

isn’t anything nefarious.