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.

I can’t

watching the three dots that indicate Lisa is

get air, u

like she snuck off

in a shadowy

can blame

text,

uses text spea‘

might head out soon though. Not really feeling the

kk where r

[AVA: Kitchen.]

cup I’d set on the counter draws my gaze, the sticky–sweet scent of punch mingling with the

beside it.

don’t understand why

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Ava. The Party (V)

wanted one? Did someone think I was just

that parties aren’t my scene. I feel

mind,

off. Between Lisa’s sudden use of text speak and that odd wrong feeling that’s

of my neck prickle, a shiver running down my spine despite the warmth of

room.

mine, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth as he weaves his way through the small clusters of

furrowing as he takes in my expression. “You

automatically, the lie tasting bitter on my tongue. “Just tired, I think. It’s been a long day.”

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Ava: The Party (V)

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

take that,” he says, his voice light but his expression serious. “It’s probably better if you

confusion warring with a sudden surge of unease.

answer, just turns and dumps the contents of the cup into the sink. The 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

“Just trust me on this one, okay? There’s some stuff going around that

What does he mean? What kind of stuff? And why would someone give it to

me?

I’m suspicious of the one person at this party who’s

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The Party (V)

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

wrinkles every time

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

sure you’re okay?

shake my head, still feeling uneasy. “Thanks, but I’m good.

say something more, but then he nods. “Alright. Well, take care of yourself, okay? And if you need anything, just let

here.”

New?

awkward to pry. He hadn’t mentioned it, even when he talked about his job and aspirations. It might be private, and I

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