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."

heart and send my

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

protective of his mate, Selene murmurs, The begrudging approval in her voice helps soothe that vague restless feeling

beneath my hands, I force myself to relax. It's Lucas. He's done so

thought in mind, the words

and you're going to hate

Shit.

phone goes dead for a few seconds,

as well tell him

to Mom's wolf. She might be more willing to give

The silence continues.

enough

interrupts me with a grim note

"You can't. You have so much to

3/5

Leaving in this situation..."

and you expect me to stay here and let

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.

time for you to grow up and realize you're in too much danger to be doing 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 throat, hackles rising as

my eyes, but anger flares hot on their heels.

spine, gritting my teeth.

one 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

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

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 tears as rapidly as they fill

hard it was to do

"You might

interest in mind. You don't think about me, and the lack of respect absolutely

trying to help my best friend, especially if

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

myself." Even as I say

174

40

172 Ava Boding Point