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."

both warm my heart and send my hackles up. "I'm

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

be protective of his mate, Selene murmurs, The begrudging approval in her voice helps

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

in mind, the

have an idea, and you're going to hate

Shit.

for a few seconds, and

as well tell him

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

The silence continues.

strong enough

there Lucas interrupts me with a grim note in his voice I've never

a little. "You can't. You have

3/5

Leaving in this situation..."

do crazy bullshit again, and you expect me

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

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 rising as she glares at

anger flares hot on

gritting my teeth. "I'm not under your

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

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 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

how hard it was to

"You might

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

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

your situation. It's too

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

174

40

172 Ava Boding Point