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.”

horrified. “I forgot she’s

She’s a bitch.”

the words out

ever talked about my

don’t think

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

complete bitch. Hates me. Never

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The Party

stare has me laughing even harder, garnering the attention of

hand. It doesn’t have that gross, yeasty smell of beer, but something more astringent and nose–tickling.

cup, she lifts it with a wink. “The special punch. You

in my mind. “Thanks.

later.”

Bren chimes in, still looking

horrified.

no offense.” Mia offers me a

sister,” Bren hisses in her

wolf hearing,

clearly.

a bitch,” Lisa agrees, squeezing her way to my side and

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

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Blackwood. Right, Ava?”

sounds a little more negative than I’d like, but I

of the party? I don’t know anyone here except you guys. It seems pretty casual.”

host.” Bren looks Lisa over with

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

further.

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

this?”

all of us come around to clean it up after. Westwood rules. If we can’t appreciate what we have, the Alpha will take

on his face and in his words couldn’t

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The Party

go enjoy herself, and

shouldn’t do that, though. That would

move.

of the guards around

she grins back before squeezing between

flirt, their bodies angling closer, their smiles flashing brighter with each exchange. A knot tightens in my stomach, an ugly twist of emotions I don’t want to examine too

have fun, to

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

process.

my thoughts. She grabs my arm, her fingers curling

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