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 hackles up.

that soothing tone. He's always trying

murmurs, The begrudging approval

I'm sorry." Focusing on the soft feel of Selene's fur beneath my hands, I force myself to relax. It's Lucas. He's done so much for me, and yet I'm the one holding

the

and you're going

Shit.

phone goes dead for a few seconds,

as well tell him

She might be more willing to give us

The silence continues.

enough to

over there Lucas interrupts me with a grim note

can't. You have so much

3/5

Leaving in this situation..."

bullshit again, and you expect

the speaker. What the hell? My heart races, confusion and shock warring inside me.

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

prick at my eyes, but anger flares hot on

spine, gritting my teeth. "I'm

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 rises with each word, trembling with barely leashed emotions. This isn't about me, or my

17:42

12 Ava Boting Point

take care of it?

I had to speak to? Do you know how many bodies are Bile

to throw all my efforts. in my face, don "I don't trust you? I told

how hard it

"You might

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 absolutely blows my fucking mind,

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

you're being blind to your situation. It's too dangerous, Ava. I'm trying to

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

174

40

172 Ava Boding Point