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."

my heart and send my hackles

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

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

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

thought in mind, the words come out

an idea, and you're going

Shit.

phone goes dead for a few

well tell

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

The silence continues.

enough to force

there Lucas interrupts me with a grim note

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

3/5

Leaving in this situation..."

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

from my ear, my eyes wide as Lucas' fury lashes through the speaker. What the hell? My heart

you going to do when Alpha Renard realizes you aren't

my eyes, but anger

spine, gritting my teeth.

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.

17:42

12 Ava Boting Point

take care of it?

pack lands, Ava. Do you know how many families I had to speak to? Do you know how many bodies

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 they fill my eyes, I struggle to keep my

hard

"You might

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

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

your situation. It's too dangerous, Ava. I'm trying to protect

myself." Even as I say the words, doubt coils in my stomach. Can I

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172 Ava Boding Point