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.”

1/9

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.

14:42

2/9

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.

be. She’s

words out loud is…

talked about my

don’t think I

cautious, and I laugh. “I’m

bitch. Hates me. Never looked at me twice.”

14

3/9

The Party

has me laughing even harder, garnering the attention of the

It doesn’t have that gross, yeasty smell of beer, but something more

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

warning rings in my mind. “Thanks. Maybe

later.”

about Jessa,” Bren chimes in, still looking

horrified.

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

Bren hisses in

hearing, I can

clearly.

her way to my side and sliding her

Bren, shoving him away.

14:42

Ava: The Party (I) Sᴇaʀch Thᴇ FɪndNøvel.ɴet website on Gøøglᴇ to

Blackwood. Right, Ava?”

Defected sounds a little more negative than I’d like, but I can’t

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

host.” Bren looks Lisa over

Lisa attractive, and her bouncing, bubbly

further.

smile on her face and the way she leans in his direction just a little, Lisa’s

this?”

to clean it up after. Westwood rules. If we can’t appreciate what we have, the Alpha will

face and in his words couldn’t

14:42

5/9

Ava: The Party

between urging Lisa to go enjoy

shouldn’t do that, though. That would be a

move.

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

grins back before squeezing between me and Brendan with a slight shake of

A

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

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

process.

fingers curling around my bicep with a familiarity that

34:42

6/9