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."

the way his words both warm my heart and send my hackles up. "I'm not a

into that soothing tone. He's always trying to calm me

mate, Selene murmurs, The begrudging approval in her voice helps

myself to relax. It's Lucas. He's done so much for me, and yet I'm the one

mind, the words come out before I

have an idea, and

Shit.

phone goes dead for a few seconds, and

as well

wolf. She

The silence continues.

enough to force

a grim note in his

a little. "You can't. You

3/5

Leaving in this situation..."

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

my ear, my eyes wide as Lucas' fury lashes through the speaker. What the hell? My heart

time for you to grow up and realize you're in too much danger to 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

but anger flares

gritting my teeth. "I'm not under

already a riot on your front lawn. You need to be safe, not taking unnecessary risks "That's not fair!

17:42

12 Ava Boting Point

take care of it?

ignoring your safety? How did that go for you? I gave in 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 on pack grounds. I never would have asked if I

much effort I'm making in trying to get Lisa back, even when she 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

idea how hard

"You might

trust me to bring Lisa back. Or that I'm doing things with your best interest in

me from trying to help my best friend, especially

to your situation. It's

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

174

40

172 Ava Boding Point