Tangled

169

169

169 Ava: A Strange Meeting

Confusion flickers across the stranger's face for a moment before understanding dawns. "Ah, I see. If you saw someone just now, it was likely a manifestation of your own fears. A distraction, meant to throw off I stare at him, my mind struggling to comprehend his words. A manifestation of my fears? How is that even possible?

Selene pads forward, her nose twitching as she sniffs at the stranger's feet. To my shock, her hackles remain flat, her tail giving a tentative wag. She's never reacted this way to a potential threat before. He is not a danger to us, but he is not an ally, she tells me.

"What are you?" I ask, my voice barely above a whisper.

The stranger tilts his head, studying me with those unsettling eyes. "I could ask the same of you. Why is a witch running with the Blackwood Pack?"

The word "witch" hits me like a punch to the gut, stealing the breath from my lungs.

The only ones to call me that are vampires.

Careful, Ava. Selene's warning echoes through my mind, even as she continues to sniff at the stranger's shoes.

The stranger glances at Selene, distaste crossing his face, but he allows her to sniff. Then he glances over my shoulder. "I'm afraid we'll have to continue this conversation another time. Once you

17:30

10 AW A Kuangs Meeting

have permission from my mother, that is."

"Your mother?" I echo, confusion and frustration warring within me. "What are you talking about?"

But the stranger is already backing away, melting into the shadows as if they were never there at all. I lunge forward, desperate for answers, but my hands close on empty air.

I hesitate, torn between the desire to chase after the mysterious stranger and the knowledge that I can't just go off running.

I've been kidnapped enough times that I really should have learned my lesson.

in my tracks. We need to get back to

feet reaches my ears just as Selene's warning registers. I whirl around to see Kellan bursting forth from the trees, his chest barely rising and falling despite the clear effort he's exerted to His eyes, sharp and wary, dart

okay?" His voice is tight with concern as he approaches me, nostrils flaring

mind. "I

more perplexed by the second.

17:30

A

me, mingling with the adrenaline still pumping through my veins. How could Kellan not detect the stranger's scent? Selene had clearly caught their smell, even if she

might be-leaves me unsettled. There are too many secrets surrounding my pack. Things about Blackwood don't make sense,

paid more attention. Living as the beta's daughter, I should know more. If I'd known how my life would turn out, I would have spent more time lingering during late-night discussions, instead of tuning people out and hiding whenever

always better,

of information I'm somehow supposed to piece together, I glance at Kellan, who's looking around again, nostrils flared as he

probably

say instead, shaking my head. "It's been a

a little insulting to know that he thinks being mistaken

there's something going on that can pull the wool over his eyes, but that's something that can only be changed with time. Everyone thinks of me as the one who needs to be protected. Not someone who can

if that changes one

It will.

confidence is a

against my shoulder, Kellan glances around again. "Let's get you back to the lodge.

can feel her gaze

you

him. "Actually, I was hoping to see Vanessa. I want to visit my mother again. One more

by a frown. "Are you sure

memory of my mother's venomous words still stinging. But there's a nagging feeling in my gut, urging me to try again. Especially now, with the appearance of this mysterious stranger. He's too comfortable here in Blackwood lands. Mom

see her," I say, injecting

17:39

I

for a long moment before sighing.

know."

It isn't consent.

permission, Kellan. I'm here because of her. I want to talk to her