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."

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

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

The begrudging approval in her voice helps soothe

of Selene's fur beneath my hands, I force myself to relax. It's Lucas.

that thought in mind, the words come

idea, and you're

Shit.

phone goes dead for a few

well

I are going to try talking to Mom's wolf. She might be more willing to give

The silence continues.

strong enough to force

there Lucas interrupts me with a grim note in

heart falters a little. "You can't. You have so much

3/5

Leaving in this situation..."

again, and you expect me to stay

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

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

eyes, but anger flares

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

keep yourself out of trouble for one goddamn second! 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

17:42

12 Ava Boting Point

take care of it?

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

you have to

how hard it was to do

"You might

things with your best interest in mind. You don't think about me, and the lack of respect absolutely blows my fucking mind, Ava. I' brained fucking

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

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

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

174

40

172 Ava Boding Point