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

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

to be protective of his mate, Selene murmurs, The begrudging approval in

Focusing on the soft feel of Selene's fur beneath my hands, I force myself to

mind, the words come out

have an idea, and you're

Shit.

for a few seconds, and I close

well

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

The silence continues.

enough to force

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

little. "You can't. You

3/5

Leaving in this situation..."

and you expect me to stay here and

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

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 in her throat, hackles

my eyes, but anger flares hot on their

my teeth.

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,

17:42

12 Ava Boting Point

take care of it?

I had to speak to? Do you know how many bodies are Bile rises in my throat. "I thought we were safe on pack

And you're 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

how hard it was

"You might

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

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

being blind to your situation. It's too dangerous,

don't need you to treat me like glass! I can handle myself." Even as I say the words,

174

40

172 Ava Boding Point