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

out loud

ever talked about my family

don’t think I

still looks cautious, and I laugh.

Never looked at me

14

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The Party (III)

laughing even harder, garnering the attention of the other

hand. It doesn’t have

it with a

in my mind. “Thanks.

later.”

Bren

horrified.

that Blackwood bitch? Er, no offense.” Mia offers me a casual, one–shoulder shrug. “We all

sister,” Bren hisses in

wolf hearing, I can hear

clearly.

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

shoving him

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Blackwood. Right, Ava?”

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

who’s the host of the party? I don’t know anyone

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

men find Lisa attractive, and her bouncing,

further.

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

this?”

us come around to clean it up after. Westwood rules. If we can’t appreciate what we

his face and

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Ava: The Party (III)

Lisa to go enjoy herself, and clinging to her

that, though. That would be a bad

move.

because of the guards around me;

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

flashing brighter with each exchange. A knot tightens in

Lisa deserves to have fun, to enjoy herself without the burden

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

process.

She grabs my arm, her fingers curling around my bicep with a familiarity that catches

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