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

Ava." Immediately into that soothing tone. He's always trying to

Selene murmurs, The begrudging approval in her

fur beneath my hands, I force myself to relax. It's Lucas. He's done so much for me, and yet I'm

in mind, the words come out

an idea, and

Shit.

for a few seconds, and I close

well tell him

Mom's wolf. She might be more willing

The silence continues.

strong enough to

a

falters a little. "You can't.

3/5

Leaving in this situation..."

you expect me to stay here and

away from my ear, my eyes wide as Lucas' fury lashes through the speaker. What the hell? My heart races, confusion and shock

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 hit me like a punch to the gut, and I physically recoil, curling in on myself.

my eyes, but anger flares hot on

my spine, gritting my teeth. "I'm

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

17:42

12 Ava Boting Point

take care of it?

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

aware of how 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

how hard it

"You might

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

to help my best friend, especially if

your situation. It's too dangerous, Ava. I'm trying to

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

174

40

172 Ava Boding Point