Tangled

168

168

168 Ava: Riot

It isn't impossible, but it might kill her before we get any results. Her answer isn't quite hesitant, but not firm, either.

"You're not telling me something

It is hard to explain. Selene stands and shakes herself. The only thing we can do is try. But it is a great risk. We should talk to Vanessa before trying, I think, if you wish to have her renounce her pack. As a heal That makes sense, only-

Selene and I share a startled glance as the chaotic noises from outside crescendo into a cacophony of snarls and shouts. Terror seizes my throat, memories of the party flashing through my mind, but I push pas We rush to the window, and my heart nearly stops at the sight below.

It's a full-on brawl. Wolves. Shifters in their human form. They're all locked together, dozens of Blackwood wolves overwhelming the few guards at the lodge.

Ava, we need to go. Selene's voice is sharp in my mind, urging me into action.

We race downstairs, my pulse pounding in my ears. There are no bodyguards to stop me; they're in the fray.

Fuck. I'm going to end up with twenty of them after Lucas hears

17-

17

abean chit

Marra winch rises above the din, his face a

mut of forty as he grapples with a narling wolf.

Telore I can respond, movement catches my eye. A Blackwood. Someone I vaguely recognize.

He launches at me, his body twisting and contorting as he shifts in

midair.

But Selene is faster. She meets the wolf head-on, and her snarl sends ice through my bones as she knocks him down.

I guess her body isn't very domestic dog, after all.

Chaos erupts around me. Claws and teeth flash past, barely missing me as I dodge and weave, my bodyguards struggling to form a protective

between me and the battling wolves. Snippets of conversation reach my ears, painting a grim picture. "-fuck

never going to submit-

dread in my

Ava. Selene's voice is a lifeline, anchoring me

idea where she is. I can sense her

determined to help subdue the riot. Shouts of "traitor" and "bitch" assail me from all sides, the Blackwood wolves' hatred palpable

100 Avi Rest

her

she shricks, as guilt and terror freeze me for a second too

hands close around my throat, squeezing, choking

instinct. A twist, a shove, and she's off me, my hands moving to flip her to

parking stop with a

God. What

battle fading to a dull roar in my ears. I stumble back, my heart hammering against my ribs as I stare at the motionless

in my chest as the

killed her. I killed Todd Mason's mother. Just like

Ava! Get it together!

another wolf before one of my

voice slices through the haze of shock threatening to consume me.

17.08.

377

danger, muscle memory from 1 sidestep the attack, grasping the wolf's foreleg as he passes. With a sharp twist, I use

at his limp form, my heart pounding against my ribs. Is he dead? Did I just kill another one? But then I see the faint rise and fall of his chest, and relief floods

ПЕР

Just uncons

to push aside the guilt and horror of what I've done. It's easier this time, knowing he's not dead by

by several other wolves. Their arrival shifts the tide of the battle, the Blackwood wolves faltering in the face of this new

shadow in the distance, flickering at the edge of my vision. I squint, trying to make out what it is,

see that?

of curiosity and wariness. I don't know

4/7

108 Ava Ta

nod, even though she can't see

we break away from the battle, darting toward

My heart pounds in my cars as we draw closer, adrenaline surging through my veins. What if it's a trap? What

compels me forward, a gut instinct that I can't. ignore. Selene runs at my

midst of the

A person, hunched over and