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. “I forgot

She’s a bitch.”

the words out loud is… freeing.

I ever talked about my family that way?

think I have.

still looks cautious, and I laugh. “I’m serious. She’s

Never looked at me twice.”

14

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The Party

has me laughing even harder, garnering the attention of the other wolves.

are we missing?” Mia asks, sauntering over with a half–empty cup in hand. It doesn’t have that gross,

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

in my mind.

later.”

Bren chimes in, still looking

horrified.

Mia offers me a casual, one–shoulder shrug. “We all

hisses in her ear.

wolf hearing, I can hear him

clearly.

agrees, squeezing her way to my side and sliding her arm

grouses at Bren, shoving him away. “Since Ava’s here she’s already

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The Party (I) Sᴇaʀch Thᴇ FɪndNøvel.ɴet website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and

Blackwood. Right, Ava?”

sounds a little more negative than I’d like, but I can’t really put my finger on why.

interjects then, steering the conversation in a different conversation. “So, who’s the host of the party?

host.” Bren looks Lisa over with a familiar, appraising

used to seeing it; a lot of men find Lisa

further.

on her face and the way she leans in his direction just a little, Lisa’s more than receptive to his

this?”

pack’s party house. We throw parties here every week, and all of us come around to clean it up after. Westwood rules. If we can’t appreciate what we have, the Alpha will take it away.”

on his face and in his words couldn’t

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Ava: The Party

urging Lisa to go enjoy herself,

though. That

move.

around me;

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

with each exchange. A knot tightens in my stomach, an ugly twist of

fun, to enjoy

hope she’s watching her trashy wolf TV instead of judging my

process.

me out of my thoughts. She grabs my arm, her fingers curling around my bicep

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