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."

warm my heart and send

you were, Ava." Immediately into that soothing tone. He's always trying

always going to be protective of his mate, Selene murmurs, The begrudging approval in her voice helps soothe that vague restless feeling inside

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

the words come out before

idea, and you're going to

Shit.

a few seconds, and I close my

well tell him

to try talking to Mom's wolf. She might

The silence continues.

enough

flying over there Lucas interrupts me with a grim note in

"You can't. You have so

3/5

Leaving in this situation..."

mate is trying to do crazy bullshit again, and you expect me to stay

the speaker. What the hell? My heart races, confusion

when Alpha Renard realizes you aren't defective af His words hit me

at my eyes, but anger

teeth. "I'm not under your control,

to be safe, not taking unnecessary risks

17:42

12 Ava Boting Point

take care of it?

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 asked if

he cuts in harshly. "You know now. 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

no idea how hard it

"You might

with secrets, 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 absolutely blows my fucking mind, Ava. I' brained

best friend, especially if you won't even listen

you're being blind to your situation. It's

myself." Even as I say the words, doubt

174

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172 Ava Boding Point