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.”

looking horrified. “I forgot

She’s a bitch.”

the words out loud

ever talked about my family that way?

think I have.

I laugh. “I’m serious. She’s

Hates me. Never looked at me

14

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The Party (III)

stare has me laughing even harder, garnering the attention of

sauntering over with a half–empty cup in hand. It doesn’t have

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

warning rings in my mind. “Thanks. Maybe

later.”

about Jessa,” Bren chimes in, still

horrified.

offense.” Mia offers me a casual,

sister,” Bren hisses in her

hearing, I

clearly.

to my side and sliding her arm through

It’s fine,” Mia grouses at Bren, shoving him away. “Since

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Blackwood. Right, Ava?”

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

host of the party?

over with a familiar, appraising look.

lot of men find Lisa attractive, and her

further.

the way she leans in his direction just a little, Lisa’s more than receptive to his attention. “Obviously, there’s a host. Whose house

this?”

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

his face and in

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Ava: The Party (III)

I’m torn between urging Lisa to go

do that, though. That would be

move.

the guards around me; I should let her enjoy the freedom she

with a smile, and she grins back before squeezing between me and Brendan with a slight shake of her

A knot tightens in my stomach, an ugly twist of emotions I don’t want to examine too

happy for her. Lisa deserves to have fun, to enjoy herself without

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

process.

grabs my arm, her fingers curling around my bicep with a

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