Tangled

134 Ava: The Party (V)

134 Ava: The Party (V)

He seems nice, Selene says.

Yeah, he does. When we part so I can return to Lisa’s side, he doesn’t cling or say anything, just waves me off

and wanders back into the crowd.

Feeling buoyed by my success at dancing with a stranger and managing a conversation with someone. in the pack, I hunt Lisa down. The dance with Teddy has cemented something inside of me; no matter how handsome another man is, he doesn’t bring about the flutters that a single word from Lucas can stir in my belly.

I need girl advice tonight.

Trying to find Lisa in the throng of shifters is impossible. She’s nowhere to be found. My skin prickles with the sensation of being watched, assessed. Whispers hiss through the air, just quiet enough that I can’t make out the words. But I can imagine well enough what they’re saying.

Mia and Chloe are holding court with a group of male shifters. Mia’s dark hair tumbles over her shoulder as

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134 Ava: The Party (V)

she laughs, leaning into the broad–shouldered man beside her. Chloe’s green eyes flick to mine, a smirk curling her lips. I quickly look away.

I don’t know what their goal was in bringing me here,

but I don’t need to know.

They’re not on my side. That’s enough to know I want nothing to do with them.

Someone jostles me from behind and I stumble, barely keeping my balance. A red plastic cup is shoved into my hand, sloshing sticky–sweet punch over the side.

“Oops, sorry!” a male voice calls, but when I turn to look, he’s already disappeared back into the crowd.

I stare down at the cup in my hand, the sickly artificial scent of fruit and alcohol wafting up to my nose. My stomach churns. I don’t want to be here anymore, suffocating under the weight of shifter superiority and teenage hormones. I just want to find Lisa and go

home.

Clutching the cup, I weave my way through the mass of bodies, heading for the refuge of the kitchen. It’s quieter there, only a few people milling about. I set the cup down on the counter with a shaky hand and pull

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134 Ava: The Party (V)

out my phone.

you? I can’t

back against the counter, watching the three dots that indicate Lisa is typing. They disappear. Reappear.

went 2 get

Right. More like she snuck off with

make out in a

that I can

text, a sinking feeling in my belly.

never uses

I might head out soon though. Not really feeling the party vibe.]

kk where r u?]

[AVA: Kitchen.]

on the counter draws my gaze, the sticky–sweet scent of punch mingling with

beside it.

don’t understand why

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The Party (V)

think I wanted one? Did someone

clear that parties aren’t my scene. I feel lost here.

whispers in my mind, her presence a comforting warmth. Stay alert.

more to myself than to her. She’s right. Something is off. Between Lisa’s sudden use of text speak and that

of my neck prickle, a shiver running down

room.

at the corners of his mouth as he weaves his way through the small clusters of people.

asks, his brow furrowing as he takes in my expression. “You look a little…” He trails off, shrugging.

I say automatically, the lie tasting bitter on my tongue. “Just tired, I think.

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The

cup next to me. Something flashes in his eyes, too quick for me to catch, but it makes my stomach twist. He reaches out, plucking the cup from

take that,” he says, his voice light but his expression serious. “It’s probably better if you don’t drink

warring with a sudden surge of

sickly sweet smell is stronger for a moment but he turns on the water and rinses it all down the drain, his movements quick and efficient, before tossing the cup in the trash.

me, his expression is carefully neutral. “Just trust me on this

mind racing. What does he mean? What kind of

me?

are you?” I ask, hating that I’m suspicious of the one person at this party who’s

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Ava: The Party

pack,” he says, with a faint smile. “The alcohol level in the punch is a bit much for a newbie. You

wrinkles every time you look

I say slowly, my voice sounding small even to my own ears. “Thanks, I

shoulders relaxing a fraction. “No problem. You sure you’re okay? You need me to walk you out

“Thanks, but I’m good. My

nods. “Alright. Well, take care of yourself, okay? And if you need anything, just let

here.”

New?

for a pack to get new blood, but it feels awkward to pry. He hadn’t mentioned it, even when he talked about his job and aspirations.

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