Tangled

172

172

172 Ava: Boiling Point

The jarring melody blares out of my phone, startling me nearly out. of my skin.

Selene's ears flick as I grab it, seeing Lucas' name flash across the screen. Both butterflies and dread swim through me; butterflies, because it's Lucas.

Dread, because I'm hiding things from him again.

"Hello?"

"I miss you."

H

His greeting is so him, and my lips curl up immediately. "I miss you,

too."

"Are you okay? Hurt anywhere?"

Of course, he knows about the riot. "I'm fine. Not hurt at all. Everyone kept me safe."

When he sighs, I can imagine his face, how his brows furrow as he inspects me. "I wish you hadn't come outside."

"I held my own, though, didn't I?" There's a little pride in my voice over that.

"So I hear. It would have been better if you weren't in danger, though."

Vanessa's stopped pacing to stare out the window, still in thought. Selene flops into my lap, and I scratch behind her ears absently. "You can't shelter me from everything."

17:42

11) Asa ng Pers

"I should be able to."

words both warm my heart and send

that soothing tone. He's always trying to

going to be protective of his mate, Selene murmurs, The begrudging approval in her voice helps soothe that

sorry." Focusing on the soft feel of Selene's fur beneath my hands, I force myself to relax.

that thought in mind, the words

an idea, and

Shit.

few seconds,

well tell

I are going to try talking to Mom's wolf. She

The silence continues.

is strong enough

over there Lucas interrupts me with a grim note in

"You can't. You have so much

3/5

Leaving in this situation..."

do crazy bullshit again, and you expect me to stay here

as Lucas' fury lashes through the speaker. What the hell? My heart races, confusion and shock warring inside me. "Lucas, wait, let me explain. Selene is strong

be doing anything like this. I've given in to you too many times. What are you going to do when Alpha Renard realizes you aren't defective af His words hit me like a punch to the gut, and I physically recoil, curling in on myself. Selene growls low in

anger flares hot on

gritting my teeth. "I'm not under your control,

not taking unnecessary risks "That's not fair! I'm trying to help Lisa, or have you forgotten about her?" My voice rises with each word, trembling with barely leashed

17:42

12 Ava Boting Point

take care of it?

to you and there was an entire massacre on pack lands, Ava. Do you know how many families I had to speak to? Do you know how many bodies are Bile rises in my throat. "I thought we were safe

isn't my pack. But you have to throw all my efforts. in my face, don "I don't trust you? I told you my secrets." Blinking away tears as rapidly as they fill my

no idea how hard it was to

"You might

bring Lisa back. Or that I'm doing things with your best interest in mind. You don't think about

best friend, especially if

you're being blind to your situation. It's too dangerous, Ava.

to treat me like glass! I can handle myself." Even as I say the words, doubt coils in my stomach. Can

174

40

172 Ava Boding Point