133 Ava: The Party (IV)
“Ava,” an unfamiliar voice coos, and I cringe at its
overly saccharine tone.
Turning, I see Chloe sauntering toward me, hips swaying in a way that catches the eye of every male she passes. For a moment, I’m startled by her revealing clothes–a tight, low–cut top that leaves little to the imagination and a skirt so short it barely covers anything at all.
Like Lisa, her auburn hair flows in messy waves over her shoulders, but her eyes are slathered in fancy eyeliner and shadows that belong on one of those make–up artists from online videos. Fancy stuff. A little too much for me, but I can appreciate the talent
behind it.
She reaches me and greets me with an enthusiastic kiss on the cheek, her lips lingering just a bit too long for comfort. “You look amazing,” she gushes, her eyes raking over my body in a way that makes me want to squirm. “So much better than your training clothes.”
I force a smile, trying to ignore the way her
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133 Ava: The Party (IV)
compliments feel insincere, like she’s just saying what she thinks I want to hear. “Thanks, Chloe.”
Her hand reaches out, fingers grazing gently over my breast as she leans in close. “They suit you,” she purrs, and I fight the urge to recoil from her touch. “Don’t they?”
The question’s tossed to someone behind her, but I can’t tell who. There are too many wolves around watching us.
A whistle from one of the nearby male shifters makes my cheeks burn, and I step back, putting some distance between Chloe and myself. She just laughs, the sound grating on my nerves. “Oh, you’re adorable,” she coos, like I’m some sort of skittish animal she finds
amusing.
Before I can respond, she’s pressing a cup of pink punch into my hand, not even bothering to ask if I want it. I stare down at the liquid suddenly feeling out of my depth. Is this what life in the Westwood pack will be like? Overly familiar touches, suggestive comments, and a complete lack of personal boundaries?
133 Ava: The Party (IV))
It doesn’t feel right.
feeling is back, my stomach churning and my skin
it’s all just normal. Now I see why Selene was amused by that
what’s normal here. If I’m reading Chloe right–and I think I am, paranoia be damned–she’s done this all
purpose.
like
Why?
of the punch, the sweetness cloying on my tongue. Chloe is still watching me, a smirk playing at the corners of her lips.
of Lucas, of the way he looks at me sometimes like I’m the only person in the world. He’s never made me feel like
van
Ava: The Party (IV)
only fair that I navigate these shark–infested waters on my own. I can’t rely on him to protect me from every unwanted advance
of his mate, I need to be stronger. I can’t be his weakness. sᴇaʀᴄh thᴇ FɪndNøvel.ɴᴇt
Correct, Selene whispers.
a deep breath, squaring my shoulders as I meet Chloe’s gaze head–on. “Thanks for the drink,” I say, my voice steady despite the
back on. “Of course,” she says, her tone sickly sweet. “I’m just so glad you made it
mutter, squeezing by her. I’d escaped into the kitchen to find peace,
wrong? Is this normal? Because it doesn’t feel
at
says shortly. There will always
ianlous of
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4,0
Ava: The Party (IV)
the bottom tier of our training group’s skills. I
a hot mess of a shifter with way too many secrets. Secrets I can’t even share with the
this sour you, Selene murmurs. Just mingle. There will always be jealous wolves, but there are also good ones
party isn’t just about Mia and Chloe. There are plenty of other wolves to get to
outgoing enough to introduce
and Bren are…
Hmm.
Missing.
they’re doing something
behind closed doors.
dancing, Selene offers.
dancing. I cast an
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The
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