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."

heart and send my hackles up. "I'm

were, Ava." Immediately into that soothing tone. He's always trying to calm me

The begrudging approval in her voice helps soothe

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

thought in mind, the words come out before

idea, and

Shit.

a few seconds, and I close my

as well tell him

to try talking to Mom's wolf. She might be more willing

The silence continues.

enough to force

flying over there Lucas interrupts me with a

little. "You can't.

3/5

Leaving in this situation..."

you

my eyes wide as Lucas' fury lashes through the speaker. What the hell? My heart races, confusion and shock warring inside me. "Lucas, wait, let me

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 her throat, hackles

prick at my eyes, but anger

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

How long have you been in Blackwood? And there's already a riot on your front lawn. You need to be safe, 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 emotions. This isn't about me, or

17:42

12 Ava Boting Point

take care of it?

you and there was an entire massacre on pack lands, Ava. Do you know how many families I had to speak to?

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

idea how hard it was to

"You might

doing things with your best interest in mind. You don't think

can't stop me from trying to help my best friend, especially if you won't even listen

you're being blind to your situation. It's

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

174

40

172 Ava Boding Point