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."

his words both warm my heart and send my

soothing tone. He's always trying to calm me down, and for some reason that makes

mate, Selene murmurs, The begrudging approval in her

beneath my hands, I force myself to relax. It's Lucas. He's

the words come out before I

and you're going to hate

Shit.

dead for a few seconds, and

as well

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

The silence continues.

enough to

flying over there Lucas interrupts me with a

little. "You can't. You have so

3/5

Leaving in this situation..."

you expect me to stay here

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

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

but anger flares hot on

teeth.

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?

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

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 eyes, I struggle to

no idea how hard it

"You might

but you don't trust me to bring Lisa back. Or that I'm doing things with your best interest in mind. You don't think about me, and the lack of respect

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

being blind to your situation. It's

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

174

40

172 Ava Boding Point