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 my hackles up. "I'm

never said you were, Ava." Immediately into that soothing tone. He's always trying to calm me down, and for some reason

The begrudging approval in her voice

I'm sorry." Focusing on the soft feel of Selene's fur beneath my hands, I force myself to relax.

the words come out before I

and you're

Shit.

goes dead for a few seconds, and

well tell him

Mom's wolf. She might be more willing

The silence continues.

enough to force

me with a grim note

falters a little. "You can't. You have

3/5

Leaving in this situation..."

do crazy bullshit again, and you expect me to stay

phone away from my 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.

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. Selene growls low in her

but anger flares hot on

teeth.

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

17:42

12 Ava Boting Point

take care of it?

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 grounds.

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 my eyes, I struggle to keep

how hard it

"You might

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,

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

am listening, but you're being blind to your situation. It's too dangerous, Ava.

me like glass! I can handle myself." Even as I say the

174

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172 Ava Boding Point