Tangled

132 Ava: The Party (III)

“So, how are you liking the training?” he asks, sipping at his drink. The scent of beer makes me want to gag, but I try to ignore it. “Amara’s tough, but she’s the best.”

I shrug, feeling a little more at ease now that we’re on familiar ground. “It’s hard,” I admit, “but I’m learning a lot. Amara doesn’t go easy on anyone. I appreciate that. It feels like I’m catching up faster that way.”

Brendan nods, his expression sympathetic. “Yeah, she can be brutal. But you’re right, it’s worth it in the end. You’ll be a total badass by the time she’s done with

you.”

I can’t help but smile at that, imagining myself as some kind of warrior princess. It seems ridiculous, given my current state, but it’s a nice thought nonetheless.

“I don’t know about that,” I say, shaking my head. “But I’ll settle for being able to defend myself, at least.”

Brendan’s smile softens, his eyes growing serious. “That’s a good goal,” he says quietly. “Especially for someone in your position.”

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132 Ava The Party (l)

I stiffen at his words, my guard going up again. “What do you mean?” I ask, trying to keep my voice neutral.

He hesitates, looking away for a moment before meeting my gaze again. “I just mean… being the Alpha’s mate, you know? It’s a big deal. Sorry if I made you uncomfortable. We heard you’re trying to keep it quiet, but secrets don’t last long in a pack.”

“Right.” I shift uneasily, unsure of how much to say. Do I explain that I haven’t chosen to mate with him yet? That our fated connection was already in peril from his rejection? It seems like a bit of an over–share, so I just remain silent.

“Everyone’s been curious about the Blackwood who finagled their way into our Alpha’s graces, but you’re pretty nice,” he adds, sounding a little awkward. “They don’t like the Blackwoods, but you don’t act like them.”

“What did you expect, then?” My curiosity is genuine. To me, the Blackwood pack was normal. Even in Westwood, I don’t have a lot of interaction with the

other shifters. I still don’t fully understand the divide between the two packs, having only heard the story from Phoenix’s point of view.

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132 Ava: The Party (1)

You could try talking to Lucas, Selene mutters,

sounding a little sour over the idea. I’m sure he could explain it.

But would he? I have the distinct impression that he would try to gloss it over.

“Arrogant. A jerk. Pretentious. Kind of like that Jessa chick who was here for a little while, trying to act like she was the beta’s mate when she was just here for college.” He grimaces. “A lot of us fell in love with her because of her looks, but it didn’t last long.”

I can’t help the faint smile curving my lips. “Oh, my

sister.”

from me, looking horrified.

She’s a

the words out loud

about my

think I

cautious, and I

complete bitch. Hates me. Never

14

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The

even harder,

over with a half–empty cup in hand. It doesn’t have that gross, yeasty smell

looking at her cup, she lifts it with

my mind. “Thanks. Maybe

later.”

talking about Jessa,” Bren chimes in, still

horrified.

that Blackwood bitch? Er, no offense.” Mia offers me a

sister,” Bren hisses in her ear.

hearing, I can hear him

clearly.

way to my side

at Bren, shoving him away. “Since

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Blackwood. Right, Ava?”

I’d like, but I can’t really put my finger on why.

steering the conversation in a different conversation. “So, who’s the host of the party? I don’t know

Bren looks Lisa over

it; a lot of men find Lisa attractive, and her bouncing, bubbly

further.

face and the way she leans in his direction just a little,

this?”

every week, and all of us come around to clean it up after. Westwood rules. If we can’t appreciate what we have, the

and in his words couldn’t be

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Ava: The

to go enjoy herself, and clinging to

do that, though. That would

move.

it is because of the guards around me; I should let her

disentangle my arm from hers with a smile, and she grins back before squeezing between me

each exchange. A knot tightens in

to enjoy herself

is quiet in my mind, and I hope she’s watching her trashy wolf

process.

fingers curling around my bicep with

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