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.”

Bren jerks away from me, looking horrified.

She’s a

the words out loud

I ever talked about my family

don’t think I have.

looks cautious, and I

Hates me. Never looked at me twice.”

14

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Ava: The Party (III)

has me laughing even harder, garnering the attention

asks, sauntering over with a half–empty cup in hand. It doesn’t have that gross, yeasty smell of beer, but something

she sees me looking at her cup, she lifts it with a wink. “The special

in my mind. “Thanks.

later.”

Bren chimes in,

horrified.

Mia offers me a casual, one–shoulder

sister,” Bren hisses in

without super wolf hearing, I

clearly.

way to my side and

fine,” Mia grouses at Bren, shoving him away. “Since Ava’s here she’s

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Blackwood. Right, Ava?”

negative than I’d like, but I can’t really put my finger on why. “We

interjects then, steering the conversation in a different conversation. “So, who’s the host of the party? I don’t know anyone here except you guys. It seems

no host.” Bren looks Lisa over with a

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

further.

face and the way she leans in his direction just a

this?”

to clean it up after. Westwood

face and in his words couldn’t be

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Ava: The Party

torn between urging Lisa to go enjoy herself, and clinging to

do that, though. That would be a bad

move.

guards around me; I should

grins back before squeezing between me and Brendan with

their smiles flashing brighter with each exchange. A knot tightens in my stomach, an ugly twist of emotions I

to enjoy herself without

my mind, and I hope she’s watching her trashy wolf TV instead of

process.

thoughts. She grabs my arm, her fingers

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